Elihu Rebukes Job (JOB 33:1-33)

[33:1] “But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words.

[33:2] Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks.

[33:3] My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.

[33:4] The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

[33:5] Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.

[33:6] Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.

[33:7] Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you.

[33:8] “Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words.

[33:9] You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.

[33:10] Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy,

[33:11] he puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.’

[33:12] “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

[33:13] Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of man’s words’?

[33:14] For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.

[33:15] In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds,

[33:16] then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings,

[33:17] that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man;

[33:18] he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.

[33:19] “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones,

[33:20] so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food.

[33:21] His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out.

[33:22] His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death.

[33:23] If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him,

[33:24] and he is merciful to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom;

[33:25] let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’;

[33:26] then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.

[33:27] He sings before men and says: ‘I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me.

[33:28] He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.’

[33:29] “Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man,

[33:30] to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.

[33:31] Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

[33:32] If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.

[33:33] If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”