Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued:
Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
Hear my words, O ye wise men; and 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 food.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Let us choose for ourselves what is right: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
6 Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, 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, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with 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.
Therefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
For the work of a man he shall render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
14 If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
If he should set his heart upon man, if he should gather to himself his spirit and his breath;
15 all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
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? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
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 accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they 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.
In a moment they shall die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away 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, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set 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 he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of 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 cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
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 quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30 that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
That the hypocrite may not reign, lest the people should be ensnared.
31 Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
Surely hast any one said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do 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.
Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou shalt refuse, or whether thou shalt choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
34 Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36 If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for 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 rebellion to his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
