微读圣经

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.

3My words come from my upright 1Kg 9:4; Ps 25:21; 119:7 heart,

and my lips speak with sincerity what they know.

4The Spirit of God has made me,

and the breath of the Almighty Jb 27:2; 32:8; 35:13 gives me life. Gn 2:7; Jb 27:3; Is 30:33

5Refute me if you can.

Prepare Jb 23:4; 32:14; 37:19 your case against me; take your stand. 1Sm 17:16; Ps 2:2; Jr 46:4,14

6I am just like you before God;

I was also pinched off from a piece of clay. Jb 4:19; 10:9; 13:12

7Fear Jb 20:25; Ps 55:4; 88:15 of me should not terrify you;

the pressure I exert Lit you; my pressure against you will be light.

8Surely you have spoken in my hearing,

and I have heard these very Lit heard a sound of words:

9“I am pure, without transgression;

I am clean and have no guilt. Jb 9:21; 11:4; 34:6

10But He finds reasons to oppose me;

He regards me as His enemy. Jb 13:24; 19:11; Lm 2:5

11He puts my feet in the stocks;

He stands watch Jb 10:14; 14:16; Ps 130:3 over all my paths.”

12But I tell you that you are wrong in this matter,

since God is greater than man. Jb 4:17; 9:2; 15:14

13Why do you take Jb 9:3; 13:19; 40:2 Him to court

for not answering anything a person asks? Lit court, for He does not answer all his words

14For God speaks time and again,

but a person may not notice it.

15In a dream, a vision Jb 4:13; 7:14; 20:8 in the night,

when deep sleep falls on people Gn 2:21; 15:12; Jb 4:13

as they slumber on their beds,

16He uncovers their ears Jb 4:12; 13:1; 36:10,15 at that time

and terrifies them LXX; MT reads and seals with warnings,

17in order to turn a person from his actions

and suppress his pride. Lit and cover pride within a man

18God spares his soul from the Pit, Jb 33:28,30; 36:16; Ps 30:9

his life from crossing the river of death. Or from perishing by the sword

19A person may be disciplined on his bed Jb 7:13; Ps 41:3; Hs 7:14 with pain

and constant distress in his bones, Jb 30:17; Ps 6:2; 38:3

20so that he detests bread,

and his soul despises his favorite food. Jb 3:24; 6:7; Ps 102:4

21His flesh wastes away to nothing, Lit away from sight

and his unseen bones stick out.

22He draws near to the Pit,

and his life to the executioners.

23If there is an angel Ex 23:20,23; Ps 34:7; Is 63:9 on his side,

one mediator out of a thousand,

to tell a person what is right for him Or to vouch for a person’s uprightness

24and to be gracious to him and say,

“Spare him from going down to the Pit;

I have found a ransom,” Ex 30:12; Ps 49:7; Pr 21:18

25then his flesh will be healthier Hb obscure than in his youth,

and he will return to the days of his youthful vigor. Dt 34:7; 2Kg 5:14; Jb 20:11

26He will pray to God, and God will delight in him.

That man will see His face Gn 33:10; Ps 11:7; 17:15 with a shout of joy,

and God will restore his righteousness to him. Ps 23:3; 51:12; 1Jn 1:9

27He will look at men and say,

“I have sinned and perverted what was right;

yet I did not get what I deserved. 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 man

30in order to turn him back from the Pit,

so he may shine with the light of life. Ps 56:13; Jn 1:4,9

31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me.

Be quiet, and I will speak.

32But if you have something to say, 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.