Job 33
Elihu Presents His Case Against Job
or
Thrice
based on Job 33
twice, yea thrice
Job 33:29
Job 33:29
Job, listen to me, I've some things you should hear.
I want what I say to be perfectly clear;
this knowledge I speak from my heart is sincere.
My motives are honest and just.
The breath of Almighty has made me this way;
feel free to stand up and refute what I say.
God views us the same — he has formed me from clay;
he's fashioned us both out of dust.
I'm not here to frighten you — that is assured,
nor add any pressure or tweak your last nerve.
You've said in my presence — I heard every word:
I'm sinless and pure as can be.
Yet God's found occasion to call me his foe;
he shackles my feet and he tracks where I go.
But you are so wrong for the reasons I'll show:
God's greater than you and than me.
So why then complain that he answers you not?
For God speaks in ways that we would not have thought:
while sleeping at night, dreams and visions are brought
when all that is heard is your breath.
He whispers his warnings; their fate is revealed.
He alters their courses; their pride is concealed.
Man's kept from the grave and from swords others wield,
or crossing the river of death.
Chastised, then, with pain and the aches that he feels;
his appetite’s lost and he’s loathing his meals.
He's wasting away from his head to his heels;
his skeletal self is a fright!
He draws near the grave and death hangs in the air.
Yet, what if an angel were suddenly there
beside him — that one-in-a-thousand — so rare,
to guide him, declaring what's right?
In mercy and kindness, this angel will crave:
Release him from going down into the grave;
the ransom was found for his life to be saved.
The price has been paid for his soul.
His flesh will renew like the skin of a child;
he’ll pray unto God and will be reconciled.
His joy at the sight of God’s face will be wild
when he has at last been made whole.
He’ll sing for his friends and his brothers this song:
I've sinned and perverted what's right to be wrong,
it prospered me not but continued headlong,
yet never did I pay the price.
God rescued my soul from the grave for my crimes,
my life's filled with light that eternally shines.
God does all these things, even two and three times;
his mercy goes on beyond thrice.
He rescues man's soul from the dark pit of night,
that he may enjoy living life in the light.
Job, carefully hear all these things that I cite,
for I still have more to advise.
If you wish to speak then you won't be denied;
my goal is to see that you’ve been justified.
If not, then be quiet and keep it inside,
and you will be taught to be wise.
I want what I say to be perfectly clear;
this knowledge I speak from my heart is sincere.
My motives are honest and just.
The breath of Almighty has made me this way;
feel free to stand up and refute what I say.
God views us the same — he has formed me from clay;
he's fashioned us both out of dust.
I'm not here to frighten you — that is assured,
nor add any pressure or tweak your last nerve.
You've said in my presence — I heard every word:
I'm sinless and pure as can be.
Yet God's found occasion to call me his foe;
he shackles my feet and he tracks where I go.
But you are so wrong for the reasons I'll show:
God's greater than you and than me.
So why then complain that he answers you not?
For God speaks in ways that we would not have thought:
while sleeping at night, dreams and visions are brought
when all that is heard is your breath.
He whispers his warnings; their fate is revealed.
He alters their courses; their pride is concealed.
Man's kept from the grave and from swords others wield,
or crossing the river of death.
Chastised, then, with pain and the aches that he feels;
his appetite’s lost and he’s loathing his meals.
He's wasting away from his head to his heels;
his skeletal self is a fright!
He draws near the grave and death hangs in the air.
Yet, what if an angel were suddenly there
beside him — that one-in-a-thousand — so rare,
to guide him, declaring what's right?
In mercy and kindness, this angel will crave:
Release him from going down into the grave;
the ransom was found for his life to be saved.
The price has been paid for his soul.
His flesh will renew like the skin of a child;
he’ll pray unto God and will be reconciled.
His joy at the sight of God’s face will be wild
when he has at last been made whole.
He’ll sing for his friends and his brothers this song:
I've sinned and perverted what's right to be wrong,
it prospered me not but continued headlong,
yet never did I pay the price.
God rescued my soul from the grave for my crimes,
my life's filled with light that eternally shines.
God does all these things, even two and three times;
his mercy goes on beyond thrice.
He rescues man's soul from the dark pit of night,
that he may enjoy living life in the light.
Job, carefully hear all these things that I cite,
for I still have more to advise.
If you wish to speak then you won't be denied;
my goal is to see that you’ve been justified.
If not, then be quiet and keep it inside,
and you will be taught to be wise.
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