Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued:
And Elihu proceeded, and said:
2 “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
Hear my words, ye wise men! Give ear to me, ye that have knowledge!
3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
For the ear trieth words, As the mouth tasteth meat.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Let us examine for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is true.
5 For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
Job hath said, “I am righteous, And God refuseth me justice.
6 Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
Though I am innocent, I am made a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am free from transgression.”
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
Where is the man like Job, Who drinketh impiety like water;
8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
Who goeth in company with evil-doers, And walketh with wicked men?
9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
For he hath said, “A man hath no advantage, When he delighteth himself in God.”
10 Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
Wherefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding! Far be iniquity from God; Yea, far be injustice from the Almighty!
11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
For what a man hath done he will requite him, And render to every one according to his deeds.
12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
Surely God will not do iniquity, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
Who hath given him the charge of the earth? Or who hath created the whole world?
14 If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
Should he set his heart against man, Should he take back his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
Then would all flesh expire together; Yea, man would return to the dust.
16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
If thou hast understanding, hear this! Give ear to the voice of my words!
17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
Shall he, that hateth justice, govern? Wilt thou then condemn the just and mighty One?
18 who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked; Or to princes, Ye are unrighteous?
19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
How much less to him that is not partial to princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they are all 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.
In a moment they die; yea, at midnight Do the people stagger and pass away, And the mighty are destroyed without 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 man; He seeth all his steps.
22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where evil-doers may hide themselves.
23 For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
He needeth not attend long to a man, That he may go into judgment before God;
24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
He dasheth in pieces the mighty without inquiry, And setteth up others in their stead.
25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
Therefore he knoweth their works, And in a night he overthroweth them, so that they are destroyed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
On account of their wickedness he smiteth them, In the presence of many beholders;
27 because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
Because they turned away from him, And had no regard to his ways,
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
And caused the cry of the poor to come before him; For he heareth the cry of the oppressed.
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,
When he giveth rest, who can cause trouble? And when he hideth his face, Who can behold him?
30 that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
So is it with nations and individuals alike! That the wicked may no more rule, And may not be snares to the people.
31 Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
Surely thou shouldst say unto God, “I have received chastisement; I will no more offend;
32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
What I see not, teach thou me! If I have done iniquity, I will do it 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.
Shall he recompense according to thy mind, Because thou refusest, or because thou choosest, and not he? Speak, if thou hast knowledge!
34 Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
Men of understanding, Wise men, who hear me, will say,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
“Job hath spoken without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.”
36 If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
I desire that Job may be tried to the last, For answering like wicked men.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
For he addeth impiety to his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth words against God.
