Elihu Invites Job’s Attention
33:1 But now, O Job, listen to my words,
and hear1
all my words!
33:2 See now, I have opened2
my mouth
my tongue has spoken in my mouth.3
33:3 My words come from the uprightness of my heart,4
and my lips will utter knowledge5
purely.
33:4 The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.6
33:5 Reply to me, if you can;
set your words7
in order before me,
take your stand!
33:6 Look, I am like you in relation to God;
I also have been molded8
from clay.
33:7 So, no fear of me will terrify you,
nor will my pressure9
be heavy upon you.10
Elihu Rejects Job’s Plea of Innocence
33:8 Indeed, you have said in my hearing11—
I heard the sound of the words—
33:912
“I am pure, without transgression;
I am clean13
and I have no iniquity.
33:1014
Yet he finds occasions15
with me
he regards me as his enemy.
33:1116
He puts in my feet in shackles;
he watches all my paths.”
33:12 Now in this, you are not right—I answer
you,17
for God is greater than man.18
33:13 Why do you contend against him,
that he does not answer all man’s19
words?
Elihu Disagrees With Job’s View of God
33:14 For God speaks, the first time,
and a second time,
though one does not perceive20
it.
33:15 In a dream, a night vision,
when deep sleep falls on men
as they sleep in their beds.
33:16 Then he makes a revelation21
to men,
and terrifies them with warnings,22
33:17 to turn man from his sin,23
and he covers man’s pride.24
33:18 He spares his life from corruption,25
his very life from crossing over26
the river.
33:19 Or a man is chastened27
by pain on his bed,
and with the continual strife of his bones,28
33:20 so that his life loathes food,
and his soul appetizing food.29
33:21 His flesh wastes away from sight,
and his bones, which were not seen,
are laid bare.30
33:22 He31
draws near to the place of corruption,
and his life to the messengers of death.32
33:23 If there is an angel beside him,
one mediator33
out of a thousand,
to tell a man wherein his uprightness lay;34
33:24 and if35
God36
is gracious to him and says,
“Spare37
him from going down
to the place of corruption,
I have found a ransom for him,”
33:25 then his flesh is restored38
like a youth’s,
he returns to the days of his youthful vigor;39
33:26 He entreats God, and God40
delights in him,
he sees his face41
with rejoicing,
and he restores to man his righteousness.42
33:27 He sings43
to men, saying:
“I have sinned and falsified what is right,
but it has not been requited to me.44
33:28 He redeemed my life
from going down to the place of corruption,
and my life sees the light!”
Elihu’s Appeal to Job45
33:29 Indeed, God does all these things,
twice, three times, in his dealings with man,46
33:30 to turn back his life from the place of corruption
that he may be enlightened with the light of life.
33:31 Pay attention, Job, listen to me,
be silent, and I will speak.
33:32 If you have any words,47
reply to me;
speak, for I wish to justify you.48
33:33 If not, you listen to me;
be silent and I will teach you wisdom.