Elihu Rebukes Job

Job 33

1 "But now, hear my speech, O Job,
and listen to all my words.
 2 Behold, I j open my mouth;
the tongue in my mouth speaks.
 3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart,
and what my lips know they speak sincerely.
 4 k The Spirit of God has made me,
and l the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
 5 m Answer me, if you can;
n set your words in order before me; take your stand.
 6 Behold, I am toward God as you are;
I too was pinched off from a piece of o clay.
 7 Behold, no p fear of me need terrify you;
my q pressure will not be heavy upon you.

8 "Surely you have spoken in my ears,
and I have heard the sound of your words.
 9 You say, 'I am r pure, without s transgression;
I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.
 10 Behold, he finds occasions against me,
he t counts me as his enemy,
 11 he u puts my feet in the stocks
and v watches all my paths.'

12 "Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,
for God is greater than man.
 13 Why do you w contend against him,
saying, 'He x will answer none of man's 1 words'? 2
14 For God y speaks in one way,
z and in two, though man a does not perceive it.
 15 In b a dream, in c a vision of d the night,
when c deep sleep falls on men,
while they slumber on their beds,
 16 then he e opens the ears of men
and terrifies them with warnings,
 17 that he may turn man aside from his f deed
and conceal pride from a man;
 18 he keeps back his soul from the pit,
his life from g perishing by the sword.

19 "Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed
and with continual strife in his h bones,
 20 so that his i life loathes bread,
and his appetite j the choicest food.
 21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,
and his bones that were not seen k stick out.
 22 His soul draws near l the pit,
and his life to m those who bring death.
 23 If there be for him n an angel,
o a mediator, p one of the thousand,
to declare to man what is q right for him,
 24 and he is merciful to him, and says,
'Deliver him from going down into the pit;
I have found r a ransom;
 25 let his flesh s become fresh with youth;
let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';
 26 then man 3 t prays to God, and he accepts him;
he u sees his face with a shout of joy,
and he v restores to man his righteousness.
 27 He sings before men and says:
'I w sinned and perverted what was right,
and it was not repaid to me.
 28 He has redeemed my x soul from going down y into the pit,
and my life shall z look upon the light.'

29 "Behold, God does all these things,
twice, a three times, with a man,
 30 to bring back his soul from the pit,
that he may be lighted with b the light of life.
 31 Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;
be silent, and I will speak.
 32 If you have any words, c answer me;
d speak, for I desire to justify you.
 33 If not, e listen to me;
be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."

  1. Cross References
    Job 3:1
    After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.
  2. Cross References
    Job 27:3
    As long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils.
  3. Cross References
    Job 32:8
    But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
    Genesis 2:7
    Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
    Ezekiel 37:9
    Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God : Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.
    Acts 17:25
    Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
  4. Cross References
    Job 33:32
    If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.
  5. Cross References
    Job 13:18
    Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.
    Job 23:4
    I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
    Psalms 5:3
    O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
  6. Cross References
    Job 4:19
    How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.
  7. Cross References
    Job 9:34 - 35
    Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me.
    Job 13:21
    Withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.
  8. Cross References
    Job 23:2
    Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
  9. Cross References
    Job 9:21
    I am blameless; I regard not myself; I loathe m...
    Job 10:7
    Although you know that I am not guilty, and the...
    Job 11:4
    For you say, 'My doctrine is pure, and I am cle...
    Job 12:4
    I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who call...
    Job 13:18
    Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I ...
    Job 16:17
    Although there is no violence in my hands, and ...
    Job 23:10 - 11
    But he knows the way that I take; when he has t...
    Job 27:5
    Far be it from me to say that you are right; ti...
    Job 29:14
    I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my j...
    Job 32:1
    So these three men ceased to answer Job, becaus...
    Job 34:5
    For Job has said, 'I am in the right, and God h...
  10. Cross References
    Job 34:6
    In spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.
  11. Cross References
    Job 13:24
    Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?
  12. Cross References
    Job 13:27
    You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for the soles of my feet.
  13. Cross References
    Job 10:14
    If I sin, you watch me and do not acquit me of my iniquity.
    Job 14:16
    For then you would number my steps; you would not keep watch over my sin.
    Job 31:4
    Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?
  14. Cross References
    Job 13:3
    But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
    Job 16:21
    That he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor.
    Job 31:35
    Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!
    Job 40:2
    "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it."
  15. Cross References
    Job 9:12
    Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back? Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?
  16. Cross References
    Job 40:5
    I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.
    Psalms 62:11
    Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God.
  17. Cross References
    Job 33:29
    Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man.
  18. Cross References
    1 Samuel 3:4
    Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am!
    1 Samuel 3:6
    And the Lord called again, "Samuel!" and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again.
  19. Cross References
    Numbers 12:6
    And he said, "Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.
  20. Cross References
    Job 4:13
    Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men.
  21. Cross References
    Job 4:13
    Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 17:3
    You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
  23. Cross References
    Job 36:10
    He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity.
    Job 36:15
    He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.
    Psalms 40:6
    In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
    Isaiah 50:5
    The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.
  24. Cross References
    Job 36:9
    Then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.
  25. Cross References
    Job 36:12
    But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
  26. Cross References
    Job 30:17
    The night racks my bones, and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest.
  27. Cross References
    Psalms 107:18
    They loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
  28. Cross References
    Proverbs 23:3
    Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
  29. Cross References
    Psalms 22:17
    I can count all my bones - they stare and gloat over me.
  30. Cross References
    Job 33:24
    And he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom.
    Job 33:28
    He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.
  31. Cross References
    2 Samuel 24:16 - 17
    And when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity and said to the angel who was working destruction among the people, "It is enough; now stay your hand." And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
    Psalms 78:49
    He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels.
  32. Cross References
    Genesis 16:7
    The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of ...
    Genesis 22:11
    But the angel of the Lord called to him from he...
    Genesis 48:16
    The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bl...
    Psalms 34:7
    The angel of the Lord encamps around those who ...
    Isaiah 63:9
    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and t...
    Malachi 3:1
    Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepar...
  33. Cross References
    Genesis 42:23
    They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them.
    Isaiah 43:27
    Your first father sinned, and your mediators transgressed against me.
  34. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 7:28
    Which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found.
    Song of Solomon 5:10
    My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand.
  35. Cross References
    Proverbs 14:2
    Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises him.
    Ezekiel 18:21 - 22
    But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.
  36. Cross References
    Job 36:18
    Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
    Psalms 49:7
    Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life.
  37. Cross References
    2 Kings 5:14
    So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
    Hebrews 9:12
    He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
  38. Cross References
    Job 22:27
    You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows.
  39. Cross References
    Psalms 17:15
    As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
  40. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:13
    David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.
    Proverbs 28:13
    Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
    Luke 15:21 - 24
    And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
    1 John 1:9
    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  41. Cross References
    Psalms 106:6
    Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.
    Romans 6:21
    But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
  42. Cross References
    Isaiah 38:17
    Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
  43. Cross References
    Job 33:22
    His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death.
    Job 33:24
    And he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom.
  44. Cross References
    Job 3:9
    Let the stars of its dawn be dark; let it hope for light, but have none, nor see the eyelids of the morning.
  45. Cross References
    Job 33:14
    For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.
  46. Cross References
    Psalms 56:13
    For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
  47. Cross References
    Job 33:5
    Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.
  48. Cross References
    Job 34:33
    Will he then make repayment to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.
  49. Cross References
    Psalms 34:11
    Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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