Elihu Rebukes Job 1 WBS Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. BSB BSB: “But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
2 WBS Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. BSB BSB: Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.
3 WBS My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. BSB BSB: My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.
4 WBS The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. BSB BSB: The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 WBS If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. BSB BSB: Refute me if you can; prepare your case and confront me.
6 WBS Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. BSB BSB: I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.
7 WBS Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. BSB BSB: Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.
8 WBS Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying , BSB BSB: Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:
9 WBS I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. BSB BSB: ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.
10 WBS Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, BSB BSB: Yet God finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy.
11 WBS He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. BSB BSB: He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’
12 WBS Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. BSB BSB: Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
13 WBS Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. BSB BSB: Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?
14 WBS For God speaketh once, yes twice, yet man perceiveth it not. BSB BSB: For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.
15 WBS In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; BSB BSB: In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds,
16 WBS Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, BSB BSB: He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings
17 WBS That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. BSB BSB: to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,
18 WBS He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. BSB BSB: to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 WBS He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain : BSB BSB: A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,
20 WBS So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty food. BSB BSB: so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.
21 WBS His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. BSB BSB: His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.
22 WBS Yes, his soul draweth near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers. BSB BSB: He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.
23 WBS If there is a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man his uprightness: BSB BSB: Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
24 WBS Then he is gracious to him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. BSB BSB: to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’
25 WBS His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he will return to the days of his youth: BSB BSB: then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.
26 WBS He shall pray to God, and he will be favorable to him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render to man his righteousness. BSB BSB: He prays to God and finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man.
27 WBS He looketh upon men, and if any shall say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; BSB BSB: Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.
28 WBS He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. BSB BSB: He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’
29 WBS Lo, all these things God often worketh with man, BSB BSB: Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times,
30 WBS To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. BSB BSB: to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.
31 WBS Mark well, O Job, hearken to me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. BSB BSB: Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.
32 WBS If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. BSB BSB: But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.
33 WBS If not, hearken to me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom. BSB BSB: But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.