..As we overlook the truth

 In a dream, in a vision of the night, 
       when deep sleep falls on men 
       as they slumber in their beds,
 he may speak in their ears 
       and terrify them with warnings,
 to turn man from wrongdoing 
       and keep him from pride,
to preserve his soul from the pit,
       his life from perishing by the sword.
Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain 
       with constant distress in his bones,
so that his very being finds food repulsive 
       and his soul loathes the choicest meal.
His flesh wastes away to nothing, 
       and his bones, once hidden, now stick out.
His soul draws near to the pit,
       and his life to the messengers of death.