Job 33
Elihu claims his words come from a pure heart and the Spirit of God, and he invites Job to respond if he can. Elihu argues that God is greater than man and does not always respond to human complaints, but instead often speaks through dreams and visions to correct and discipline people. He explains that God may use suffering to divert people from their sinful ways and to rescue their souls from corruption, but if someone intercedes on their behalf, God may show mercy and restore their justice. Elihu concludes by inviting Job to listen to him and remain silent, or to respond if he has anything to say, so that he may be treated justly and taught wisdom.
1Therefore, hear my speeches, Job, and listen to all my words2Behold, I have opened my mouth; let my tongue speak along with my throat3My words are from my simple heart, and my lips will speak a pure judgment4The Spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life5If you can, answer me, and oppose me to my face6Behold, God has made me, just as he also has made you, and I, likewise, have been formed of the same clay7So, truly, do not let my wonders terrify you, and do not let my eloquence be burdensome to you8For you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying9"I am clean and without sin; I am immaculate, and there is no iniquity in me10Yet he has discovered blame in me, and so he has treated me like his enemy11He has put my feet in fetters; he has kept watch over all my ways.12Therefore, it is for this reason that you have not been justified. For I tell you that God is greater than man13Do you contend against him because he has not responded to all of your words14God speaks once, and he does not repeat the same thing a second time15Through a dream in a vision of the night, when a deep sleep falls over men, and they are sleeping in their beds16then, he opens the ears of men, and, educating them, he teaches discipline17so that he may divert a man from the things that he is doing, and may free him from pride18rescuing his soul from corruption and his life from passing away by the sword19Likewise, he rebukes by sorrow in bed, and he causes all of his bones to become weak20Bread becomes abominable to him in his life, and, to his soul, the meat which before he desired21His body will waste away, and his bones, which had been covered, will be revealed22His soul has approached corruption, and his life has drawn near to what is deadly23If there were an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare the fairness of the man24he will have mercy on him, and he will say, "Free him, so that he will not descend to destruction. I have found a reason to be favorable to him25His body is consumed by suffering. Let him return to the days of his youth.26He will beg pardon from God, and he will be soothing to him; and he will look upon his face in jubilation, and he will restore his justice to man27He will consider mankind, and he will say: "I have sinned and truly I have offended, yet I was not treated as I deserved.28He has freed his soul from continuing into destruction, so that, in living, it may see the light29Behold, all these things God works three times within each one30so that he may revive their souls from corruption and enlighten them with the light of life31Pay attention Job, and listen to me; and remain silent, while I speak32Yet, if you have anything to say, answer me and speak, for I want you to be treated justly33But if you do not have anything to say, then listen to me. Be quiet and I will teach you wisdom
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