Job 34
1 And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
Then Elihu continued:
2 Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
10 Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity 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 he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.
For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12 For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?
Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 Who accepteth not the persons of princes: nor hath regarded the tyrant, when he contended against the poor man: for all are 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 They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent 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 men, and he considereth all their steps.
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:
because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28 So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29 For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?
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 Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou begannest to speak, and not I: but if thou know any thing better, speak.
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 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.
If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37 Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
