Elihu Reproves Job

331 "However now, Job , please hear my speech , And listen to all my words . 2 "Behold now , I open my mouth , My tongue in my mouth speaks . 3 "My words are from the uprightness of my heart , And my lips speak knowledge sincerely . 4 "The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life . 5 " Refute me if you can ; Array yourselves before me, take your stand . 6 "Behold , I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay . 7 "Behold , no fear of me should terrify you, Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you.

8 "Surely you have spoken in my hearing , And I have heard the sound of your words : 9 'I am pure , without transgression ; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me. 10 'Behold , He invents pretexts against me; He counts me as His enemy . 11 'He puts my feet in the stocks ; He watches all my paths .' 12 "Behold , let me tell you, you are not right in this , For God is greater than man . 13 "Why do you complain against Him That He does not give an account of all His doings ?

14 "Indeed God speaks once , Or twice , yet no one notices it. 15 "In a dream , a vision of the night , When sound sleep falls on men , While they slumber in their beds , 16 Then He opens the ears of men , And seals their instruction , 17 That He may turn man aside from his conduct , And keep man from pride ; 18 He keeps back his soul from the pit , And his life from passing over into Sheol .

19 "Man is also chastened with pain on his bed , And with unceasing complaint in his bones ; 20 So that his life loathes bread , And his soul favorite food . 21 "His flesh wastes away from sight , And his bones which were not seen stick out. 22 "Then his soul draws near to the pit , And his life to those who bring death . 23 "If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand , To remind a man what is right for him, 24 Then let him be gracious to him, and say , 'Deliver him from going down to the pit , I have found a ransom '; 25 Let his flesh become fresher than in youth , Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor ; 26 Then he will pray to God , and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy , And He may restore His righteousness to man . 27 "He will sing to men and say , 'I have sinned and perverted what is right , And it is not proper for me. 28 'He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit , And my life shall see the light .'

29 "Behold , God does all these oftentimes e with men , 30 To bring back his soul from the pit , That he may be enlightened with the light of life . 31 "Pay attention , O Job , listen to me; Keep silent , and let me speak . 32 "Then if you have anything to say , answer me; Speak , for I desire to justify you. 33 "If not, listen to me; Keep silent , and I will teach you wisdom ."