Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued,
Moreover Elihu answered,
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 my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.
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.’
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
7 Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
8 He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
9 He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’
10 So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
“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 He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
14 If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
If he set his heart on himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
15 all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
16 If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my 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?
Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
18 He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
19 He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
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 They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
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 he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
“For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
22 There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
24 He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
25 Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,
28 They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
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,
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 a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
31 If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
“For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
32 Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no 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.
Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
34 For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
35 ‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
36 If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
37 Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”
