[1] Elihu Speaks Job, listen to me! Pay close attention. [2] Everything I will say [3] is true and sincere, [4] just as surely as the Spirit of God All-Powerful gave me the breath of life. [5] Now line up your arguments and prepare to face me. [6] We each were made from clay, and God has no favorites, [7] so don't be afraid of me or what I might do. [8] I have heard you argue [9] that you are innocent, guilty of nothing. [10] You claim that God has made you his enemy, [11] that he has bound your feet and blocked your path. [12] But, Job, you're wrong- God is greater than any human. [13] So why do you challenge God to answer you? [14] God speaks in different ways, and we don't always recognize his voice. [15] Sometimes in the night, he uses terrifying dreams [16] to give us warnings. [17] God does this to make us turn from sin and pride [18] and to protect us from being swept away to the world of the dead. [19] Sometimes we are punished with a serious illness and aching joints. [20] Merely the thought of our favorite food makes our stomachs sick, [21] and we become so skinny that our bones stick out. [22] We feel death and the grave taking us in their grip. [23] One of a thousand angels then comes to our rescue by saying we are innocent. [24] The angel shows kindness, commanding death to release us, because the price was paid. [25] Our health is restored, we feel young again, [26] and we ask God to accept us. Then we joyfully worship God, and we are rewarded because we are innocent. [27] When that happens, we tell everyone, "I sinned and did wrong, but God forgave me [28] and rescued me from death! Now I will see the light." [29] God gives each of us chance after chance [30] to be saved from death and brought into the light that gives life. [31] So, Job, pay attention and don't interrupt, [32] though I would gladly listen to anything you say that proves you are right. [33] Otherwise, listen in silence to my wisdom.
