Job 34
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
Moreover Elihu answered,
2 Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
“Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good!
Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know amongst ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my judgment:
For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.
6 Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
7 What man is like Job? he drinketh up scorning like water,
What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
8 And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, 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 himself with God.’
10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from God, and wrong from the Almighty!
“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For a man's work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his] way.
For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yea, surely, God acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
14 If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath,
If he set his heart on himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
15 All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.
all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!
“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
17 Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?
Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
18 Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘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.
He doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are 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.
In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a 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. He sees all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before God in judgment.
For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgement.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;
He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
25 Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,
He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;
because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to 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.
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry 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;
When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike,
30 That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared.
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
31 For hath he said unto God, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend;
“For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
32 What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more?
Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
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.
Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
34 Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me:
Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence.
‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
36 Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of evil men!
I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
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 amongst us, and multiplies his words against God.”
