²³ If there is a messenger at his side to mediate,
one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
²⁴ if he is gracious to him,
if he says, “Spare him from going down to the pit.
I have found a ransom for him,”
²⁵ then his flesh would become more vigorous than it was in his youth.
He would return to days of youthful vitality.
²⁶ Then he would pray to God,
and God would be pleased with him.
With a joyful cry he would see God’s face,
and God would restore his righteousness to the man.
²⁷ Then the man would turn to people and say,^[a]
“I have sinned, and I have perverted what is right,
yet I was not punished as much as I deserved.
²⁸ God has redeemed my soul from passing into the pit,
and my life will see the light.”