¹⁴ For God does speak^(A)—now one way, now another^(B)—
    though no one perceives it.^(C)
15 In a dream,^(D) in a vision^(E) of the night,^(F)
    when deep sleep^(G) falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds,
¹⁶ he may speak^(H) in their ears
    and terrify them^(I) with warnings,^(J)
17 to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride,^(K)
18 to preserve them from the pit,^(L)
    their lives from perishing by the sword.^[a](M)

¹⁹ “Or someone may be chastened^(N) on a bed of pain^(O)
    with constant distress in their bones,^(P)
20 so that their body finds food^(Q) repulsive
    and their soul loathes the choicest meal.^(R)
21 Their flesh wastes away to nothing,
    and their bones,^(S) once hidden, now stick out.^(T)
22 They draw near to the pit,^(U)
    and their life to the messengers of death.^[b](V)