Elihu Confronts Job
1But now, Job, pay attention to my speech,
and listen to all my words.
2I am going to open my mouth;
my tongue will form words on my palate.
and my lips speak with sincerity what they know.
4The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty33:4 Jb 27:2; 32:8; 35:13 gives me life.33:4 Gn 2:7; Jb 27:3; Is 30:33
5Refute me if you can.
Prepare33:5 Jb 23:4; 32:14; 37:19 your case against me; take your stand.33:5 1Sm 17:16; Ps 2:2; Jr 46:4,14
6I am just like you before God;
no pressure from me should weigh you down.
8Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
and I have heard these very33:8 Lit heard a sound of words:
9“I am pure, without transgression;
10But he finds reasons to oppose me;
11He puts my feet in the stocks;
12But I tell you that you are wrong in this matter,
for not answering anything a person asks?33:13 Lit court, for he does not answer all his words
14For God speaks time and again,
but a person may not notice it.
as they slumber on their beds,
and terrifies them33:16 LXX; MT reads and seals with warnings,
17in order to turn a person from his actions
and suppress the pride of a person.
his life from crossing the river of death.33:18 Or from perishing by the sword
20so that he detests bread,
21His flesh wastes away to nothing,33:21 Lit away from sight
and his unseen bones stick out.
22He draws near to the Pit,
and his life to the executioners.
one mediator out of a thousand,
to tell a person what is right for him33:23 Or to vouch for a person’s uprightness
24and to be gracious to him and say,
“Spare him from going down to the Pit;
25then his flesh will be healthier33:25 Hb obscure than in his youth,
26He will pray to God, and God will delight in him.
27He will look at men and say,
“I have sinned and perverted what was right;
yet I did not get what I deserved.33:27 Lit and the same was not to me
28He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit,
and I will continue to see the light.”
29God certainly does all these things
two or three times to a person
30in order to turn him back from the Pit,
31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me.
Be quiet, and I will speak.
32But if you have something to say,33:32 Lit If there are words answer me;
speak, for I would like to justify you.
33If not, then listen to me;
be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.