Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued,
And Elius continued, and said,
2 “Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
Hear me, you wise men; listen, you that have knowledge.
3 The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
Let us choose judgement to ourselves: let us know amount ourselves what is right.
5 Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgement.
6 Even though I'm right, I'm treated like a liar; I am dying from my wounds, even though I've done nothing wrong.’
And he has erred in my judgement: my wound is severe without unrighteousness [of mine].
7 Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?
8 He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
[saying], I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.
9 He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
For you should not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas [there is] a visitation on him from the Lord.
10 So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
Therefore hear me, you that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the almighty.
11 He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
Yes, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.
12 It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
And think you that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgement?
13 Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
And who is he that made [the whole world] under heaven, and all things therein?
14 If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;
15 all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.
16 If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
Take heed lest he rebuke [you]: hear this, listen to the voice of words.
17 Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.
18 He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
[He is] ungodly that says to a king, You are a transgressor, [that says] to princes, O most ungodly one.
19 He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
[Such a one] as would not reverence the face of an honourable man, neither knows how to give honour to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.
20 They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
But it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside [from their right].
21 For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.
22 There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.
23 God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
For he will not lay upon a man more [than right].
24 He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.
25 Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
Who discovers their works, and will bring night about [upon them], and they shall be brought low.
26 He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.
27 because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,
28 They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.
29 Yet if God wants to remain silent, who can condemn him? If he chooses to hide his face, who can see him? Whether it concerns a nation or an individual,
And he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man also:
30 a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.
31 If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
For [there is] one that says to the Mighty One, I have received [blessings]; I will not take a pledge:
32 Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
I will see apart from myself: do you show me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do [so] any more.
33 then should God reward you for following your own opinions since you have rejected his? You're the one who has to choose, not me! Tell us what you think.
Will he take vengeance for it on you, whereas you will put [it] far [from you]? for you shall choose, and not I; and what you know, speak you.
34 For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.
35 ‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not [uttered] with knowledge.
36 If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
Howbeit do you learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:
37 Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if [we] speak many words before the Lord.
