Job 34
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
Then Elihu continued:
2 Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good!
Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my judgment:
For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.
Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 What man is like Job? he drinketh up scorning like water,
What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself in God.
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from God, and wrong from 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 For a man's work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his] way.
For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12 Yea, surely, God acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world?
Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath,
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 [How then to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich man more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands.
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
20 In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the strong are taken away without hand.
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 his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps.
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before God in judgment.
For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,
He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;
because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29 When he giveth quietness, who then will disturb? and when he hideth [his] face, who shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike;
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 That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared.
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 For hath he said unto God, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend;
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more?
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused [his judgment]; for thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest.
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 Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me:
Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence.
‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of evil men!
If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
