16 ^aThen He opens the ears of men,
And seals their instruction. ‡

17 In order to turn man from his deed,
And conceal pride from man,

18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit,
And his life from¹ perishing by the sword. ‡

19 “Man is also chastened with pain on his ^abed,
And with strong pain in many of his bones, ‡

20 ^aSo that his life abhors ^bbread,
And his soul¹ succulent food. ‡

21 His flesh wastes away from sight,
And his bones stick out which once were not seen.

22 Yes, his soul draws near the Pit,
And his life to the executioners.

23 “If there is a messenger for him,
A mediator, one among a thousand,
To show man His uprightness,

24 Then He is gracious to him, and says,
‘Deliver him from going down to the Pit;
I have found¹ a ransom’; ‡

25 His flesh shall be young like a child’s,
He shall return to the days of his youth.

26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him,
He shall see His face with joy,
For He restores to man His righteousness.

27 Then he looks at men and ^asays,
‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
And it ^bdid not profit me.’ ‡

28 He will ^aredeem his soul from going down to the Pit,
And his life shall see the light. ‡

29 “Behold, God works all these things,
Twice, in fact, three times with a man,

30 ^aTo bring back his soul from the Pit,
That he may be enlightened with the light of life. ‡