Job 34
1 After proclaiming these things, Eliu now had this to say:
Moreover Elihu answered and said:
2 May the wise hear my words, and may the educated listen to me.
Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear examines words, and the mouth discerns foods by the taste.
For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
4 Let us choose judgment for ourselves, and let us consider among ourselves what is best.
Let us choose for us that which is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said: “I am just, yet God has subverted my judgment.
For Job hath said: 'I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right;
6 For, within my judgment, there is a lie: my vehement barbs are without any sin.”
Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
7 What man is there that is like Job, who drinks up derision as if it were water,
What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 who accompanies those who work iniquity, and who walks with impious men?
Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9 For he has said, “Man will not please God, even if he should travel with him.”
For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing that he should be in accord with God.'
10 Therefore, prudent men, hear me: impiety is far from God, and iniquity is far from the Almighty.
Therefore hearken unto 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 he will restore to man his works, and according to the ways of each, he will repay them.
For the work of a man will He requite unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 For truly, God will not condemn in vain, nor will the Almighty repudiate judgment.
Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 What other is established over the earth? Or whom has he placed over the world, which he made?
Who gave Him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?
14 But, if he directs his heart towards him, he will draw his spirit and breath to himself.
If He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh will fail together, and man will return to ashes.
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust.
16 Therefore, if you have understanding, hear what is said, and heed the sound of my eloquence.
If now thou hast understanding, hear this; hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Is he that does not love judgment able to be corrected? And how can you so greatly condemn him who is just?
Shall even one that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty —
18 He says to the king, “You are an apostate.” He calls commanders impious.
Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'? —
19 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.
That respecteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they all are the work of His hands.
20 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.
In a moment they die, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he examines all of their steps.
For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness and no shadow of death, where those who work iniquity may be hidden.
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For it is no longer within the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
For He doth not appoint a time unto any man, when he should go before God in judgment.
24 He will break into many innumerable pieces, and he will cause others to stand up in their place.
He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquisition, and setteth others in their stead.
25 For he knows their works, and, as a result, he will bring the night, and they will be crushed.
Therefore He taketh knowledge of their works; and He overturneth them in the night, so that they are crushed.
26 Just as the impious do, he has struck them in a place where they can be seen.
He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 They, as if with great diligence, have withdrawn from him, and they refused to understand all his ways,
Because they turned aside from following Him, and would not have regard to any of His ways;
28 so that they caused the outcry of the needy to reach him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 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?
When He giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when He hideth His face, who then can behold Him? whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man, alike;
30 He causes a hypocritical man to reign because of the sins of the people.
That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.
31 Therefore, since I have been speaking about God, I will not prevent you from doing the same.
For hath any said unto God: 'I have borne chastisement, though I offend not;
32 If I have erred, you may teach me; if I have spoken unfairly, I will add no more.
That which I see not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
33 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.
Shall His recompense be as thou wilt? For thou loathest it, so that thou must choose, and not I; therefore speak what thou knowest.
34 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man listen to me.
Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:
35 But Job has been speaking foolishly, and his words contain unsound teaching.
'Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without discernment.'
36 My father, let Job be tested even to the end; may you not retreat from a man of iniquity.
Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
37 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.
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
