^{16 Ref} Then He uncovereth the ear of men, And for their instruction sealeth:

^{17 Ref} To turn aside man `from' doing, And pride from man He concealeth.

^{18 Ref} He keepeth back his soul from corruption, And his life from passing away by a dart.

^{19 Ref} And he hath been reproved With pain on his bed, And the strife of his bones `is' enduring.

^{20 Ref} And his life hath nauseated bread, And his soul desirable food.

^{21 Ref} His flesh is consumed from being seen, And high are his bones, they were not seen!

^{22 Ref} And draw near to the pit doth his soul, And his life to those causing death.

^{23 Ref} If there is by him a messenger, An interpreter -- one of a thousand, To declare for man his uprightness:

^{24 Ref} Then He doth favour him and saith, `Ransom him from going down to the pit, I have found an atonement.'

^{25 Ref} Fresher `is' his flesh than a child's, He returneth to the days of his youth.

^{26 Ref} He maketh supplication unto God, And He accepteth him. And he seeth His face with shouting, And He returneth to man His righteousness.

^{27 Ref} He looketh on men, and saith, `I sinned, And uprightness I have perverted, And it hath not been profitable to me.

^{28 Ref} He hath ransomed my soul From going over into the pit, And my life on the light looketh.'

^{29 Ref} Lo, all these doth God work, Twice -- thrice with man,

^{30 Ref} To bring back his soul from the pit, To be enlightened with the light of the living.