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Elihu Rebukes Job

Verse1“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

Verse2Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.

Verse3My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

Verse4The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Verse5Refute me if you can; prepare your case and confront me.

Verse6I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.

Verse7Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.

Verse8Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:

Verse9‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.

Verse10Yet God finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy.

Verse11He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’

Verse12Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

Verse13Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

Verse14For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.

Verse15In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds,

Verse16He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings

Verse17to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,

Verse18to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword.

Verse19A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,

Verse20so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.

Verse21His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.

Verse22He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.

Verse23Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

Verse24to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’

Verse25then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.

Verse26He prays to God and finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man.

Verse27Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

Verse28He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’

Verse29Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times,

Verse30to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.

Verse31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

Verse32But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.

Verse33But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”