Job 34
1 And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
And Elihu proceeded, and said:
2 Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:
Hear my words, ye wise men! Give ear to me, ye that have knowledge!
3 For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
For the ear trieth words, As the mouth tasteth meat.
4 Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
Let us examine for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is true.
5 For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
Job hath said, “I am righteous, And God refuseth me justice.
6 For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
Though I am innocent, I am made a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am free from transgression.”
7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
Where is the man like Job, Who drinketh impiety like water;
8 Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
Who goeth in company with evil-doers, And walketh with wicked men?
9 For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
For he hath said, “A man hath no advantage, When he delighteth himself in God.”
10 Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.
Wherefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding! Far be iniquity from God; Yea, far be injustice from the Almighty!
11 For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.
For what a man hath done he will requite him, And render to every one according to his deeds.
12 For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Surely God will not do iniquity, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?
Who hath given him the charge of the earth? Or who hath created the whole world?
14 If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
Should he set his heart against man, Should he take back his spirit and his breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
Then would all flesh expire together; Yea, man would return to the dust.
16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.
If thou hast understanding, hear this! Give ear to the voice of my words!
17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?
Shall he, that hateth justice, govern? Wilt thou then condemn the just and mighty One?
18 Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked; Or to princes, Ye are unrighteous?
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.
How much less to him that is not partial to princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the 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.
In a moment they die; yea, at midnight Do the people stagger and pass away, And the mighty are destroyed without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.
For his eyes are upon the ways of man; He seeth all his steps.
22 There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where evil-doers may hide themselves.
23 For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
He needeth not attend long to a man, That he may go into judgment before God;
24 He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.
He dasheth in pieces the mighty without inquiry, And setteth up others in their stead.
25 For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
Therefore he knoweth their works, And in a night he overthroweth them, so that they are destroyed.
26 He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
On account of their wickedness he smiteth them, In the presence of many beholders;
27 Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:
Because they turned away from him, And had no regard to his ways,
28 So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
And caused the cry of the poor to come before him; For he heareth the cry of the oppressed.
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?
When he giveth rest, who can cause trouble? And when he hideth his face, Who can behold him?
30 Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
So is it with nations and individuals alike! That the wicked may no more rule, And may not be snares to the people.
31 Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
Surely thou shouldst say unto God, “I have received chastisement; I will no more offend;
32 If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.
What I see not, teach thou me! If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more.”
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.
Shall he recompense according to thy mind, Because thou refusest, or because thou choosest, and not he? Speak, if thou hast knowledge!
34 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
Men of understanding, Wise men, who hear me, will say,
35 But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
“Job hath spoken without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.”
36 My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.
I desire that Job may be tried to the last, For answering like wicked men.
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 addeth impiety to his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth words against God.
