Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued,
Pronuntians itaque Eliu, etiam hæc locutus est:
2 “Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
Audite sapientes verba mea, et eruditi auscultate me:
3 The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
Auris enim verba probat, et guttur escas gustu diiudicat.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
Iudicium eligamus nobis, et inter nos videamus quid sit melius.
5 Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
Quia dixit Iob: Iustus sum, et Deus subvertit iudicium meum.
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.’
In iudicando enim me, mendacium est: violenta sagitta mea absque ullo peccato.
7 Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
Quis est vir ut est Iob, qui bibit subsannationem quasi aquam:
8 He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
Qui graditur cum operantibus iniquitatem, et ambulat cum viris impiis?
9 He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
Dixit enim: Non placebit vir Deo, etiam si cucurrerit cum eo.
10 So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
Ideo viri cordati audite me, absit a Deo impietas, et ab Omnipotente iniquitas.
11 He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
Opus enim hominis reddet ei, et iuxta vias singulorum restituet eis.
12 It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
Vere enim Deus non condemnabit frustra, nec Omnipotens subvertet iudicium.
13 Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
Quem constituit alium super terram? aut quem posuit super orbem, quem fabricatus est?
14 If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
Si direxerit ad eum cor suum, spiritum illius et flatum ad se trahet.
15 all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
Deficiet omnis caro simul, et homo in cinerem revertetur.
16 If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
Si habes ergo intellectum, audi quod dicitur, et ausculta vocem eloquii mei.
17 Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
Numquid qui non amat iudicium, sanari potest? et quomodo tu eum, qui iustus est, in tantum condemnas?
18 He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
Qui dicit regi, apostata: qui vocat duces impios:
19 He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
Qui non accipit personas principum: nec cognovit tyrannum, cum disceptaret contra pauperum: opus enim manuum eius sunt universi.
20 They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
Subito morientur, et in media nocte turbabuntur populi, et pertransibunt, et auferent violentum absque manu.
21 For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
Oculi enim eius super vias hominum, et omnes gressus eorum considerat.
22 There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
Non sunt tenebræ, et non est umbra mortis, ut abscondantur ibi qui operantur iniquitatem.
23 God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
Neque enim ultra in hominis potestate est, ut veniat ad Deum in iudicium.
24 He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
Conteret multos, et innumerabiles, et stare faciet alios pro eis.
25 Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
Novit enim opera eorum: et idcirco inducet noctem, et conterentur.
26 He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
Quasi impios percussit eos in loco videntium.
27 because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
Qui quasi de industria recesserunt ab eo, et omnes vias eius intelligere noluerunt:
28 They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
Ut pervenire facerent ad eum clamorem egeni, et audiret vocem pauperum.
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,
Ipso enim concedente pacem, quis est qui condemnet? ex quo absconderit vultum, quis est qui contempletur eum et super gentes et super omnes homines?
30 a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
Qui regnare facit hominem hypocritam propter peccata populi.
31 If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
Quia ergo ego locutus sum ad Deum, te quoque non prohibebo.
32 Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
Si erravi, tu doce me: si iniquitatem locutus sum, ultra non addam.
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.
Numquid a te Deus expetit eam, quia displicuit tibi? tu enim cœpisti loqui, et non ego: quod si quid nosti melius, loquere.
34 For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
Viri intelligentes loquantur mihi, et vir sapiens audiat me.
35 ‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
Iob autem stulte locutus est, et verba illius non sonant disciplinam.
36 If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
Pater mi, probetur Iob usque ad finem: ne desinas ab homine iniquitatis.
37 Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
Quia addit super peccata sua blasphemiam, inter nos interim constringatur: et tunc ad iudicium provocet sermonibus suis Deum.
