Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued:
After proclaiming these things, Eliu now had this to say:
2 “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
May the wise hear my words, and may the educated listen to me.
3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
For the ear examines words, and the mouth discerns foods by the taste.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Let us choose judgment for ourselves, and let us consider among ourselves what is best.
5 For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
For Job has said: “I am just, yet God has subverted my judgment.
6 Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
For, within my judgment, there is a lie: my vehement barbs are without any sin.”
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
What man is there that is like Job, who drinks up derision as if it were water,
8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
who accompanies those who work iniquity, and who walks with impious men?
9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
For he has said, “Man will not please God, even if he should travel with him.”
10 Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
Therefore, prudent men, hear me: impiety is far from God, and iniquity is far from the Almighty.
11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
For he will restore to man his works, and according to the ways of each, he will repay them.
12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
For truly, God will not condemn in vain, nor will the Almighty repudiate judgment.
13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
What other is established over the earth? Or whom has he placed over the world, which he made?
14 If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
But, if he directs his heart towards him, he will draw his spirit and breath to himself.
15 all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
All flesh will fail together, and man will return to ashes.
16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
Therefore, if you have understanding, hear what is said, and heed the sound of my eloquence.
17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
Is he that does not love judgment able to be corrected? And how can you so greatly condemn him who is just?
18 who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
He says to the king, “You are an apostate.” He calls commanders impious.
19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
He does not accept the reputation of leaders; nor does he recognize the tyrant as he contends against the poor. For all are the work of his hands.
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
They will die suddenly, and the people will be troubled in the middle of the night, but they will pass through it, and the violent will be taken away without a hand.
21 For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he examines all of their steps.
22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
There is no darkness and no shadow of death, where those who work iniquity may be hidden.
23 For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
For it is no longer within the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
He will break into many innumerable pieces, and he will cause others to stand up in their place.
25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
For he knows their works, and, as a result, he will bring the night, and they will be crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
Just as the impious do, he has struck them in a place where they can be seen.
27 because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
They, as if with great diligence, have withdrawn from him, and they refused to understand all his ways,
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
so that they caused the outcry of the needy to reach him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
29 But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,
For, when he grants peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hides his face, who is there that can contemplate him, either among the nations, or among all men?
30 that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
He causes a hypocritical man to reign because of the sins of the people.
31 Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
Therefore, since I have been speaking about God, I will not prevent you from doing the same.
32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
If I have erred, you may teach me; if I have spoken unfairly, I will add no more.
33 Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
Does God require this of you because it is displeasing to you? For you were the first to speak, and not I. But if you know something better, speak.
34 Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man listen to me.
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
But Job has been speaking foolishly, and his words contain unsound teaching.
36 If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
My father, let Job be tested even to the end; may you not retreat from a man of iniquity.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
For he adds blasphemy on top of his sins; nevertheless, let him be constrained to be among us, and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.
