Job 34
1 And Elius continued, and said,
Then Elihu continued:
2 Hear me, you wise men; listen, you that have knowledge.
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.
For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 Let us choose judgement to ourselves: let us know amount ourselves what is right.
Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgement.
For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 And he has erred in my judgement: my wound is severe without unrighteousness [of mine].
Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?
What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 [saying], I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.
He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 For you should not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas [there is] a visitation on him from the Lord.
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
10 Therefore hear me, you that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the almighty.
Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
11 Yes, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.
For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12 And think you that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgement?
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 And who is he that made [the whole world] under heaven, and all things therein?
Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 Take heed lest he rebuke [you]: hear this, listen to the voice of words.
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 [He is] ungodly that says to a king, You are a transgressor, [that says] to princes, O most ungodly one.
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 [Such a one] as would not reverence the face of an honourable man, neither knows how to give honour to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
20 But it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside [from their right].
They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
21 For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 For he will not lay upon a man more [than right].
For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 Who discovers their works, and will bring night about [upon them], and they shall be brought low.
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.
He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,
because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28 so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29 And he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man also:
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,
30 causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 For [there is] one that says to the Mighty One, I have received [blessings]; I will not take a pledge:
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 I will see apart from myself: do you show me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do [so] any more.
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 Will he take vengeance for it on you, whereas you will put [it] far [from you]? for you shall choose, and not I; and what you know, speak you.
Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
34 Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.
Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not [uttered] with knowledge.
‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 Howbeit do you learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:
If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37 that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if [we] speak many words before the Lord.
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
