16. Then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn.
17. That he may withdraw a man from the things he is doing, and may deliver him from pride.
18. Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from passing to the sword.
19. He rebuketh also by sorrow in the bed, and he maketh all his bones to wither.
20. Bread becometh abominable to him in his life, and to his soul the meat which before he desired.
21. His flesh shall be consumed away, and his bones that were covered shall be made bare.
22. His soul hath drawn near to corruption, and his life to the destroyers.
23. If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man's uprightness,
24. He shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him.
25. His flesh is consumed with punishment, let him return to the days of his youth.
26. He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man his justice.
27. He shall look upon men, and shall say: I have sinned, and indeed I have offended, and I have not received what I have deserved.
28. He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see the light.
29. Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one.