Job 34
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said:
Then Elihu continued,
2 Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
“Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 Let us choose for us that which is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said: 'I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right;
Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
6 Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
Even though I'm right, I'm treated like a liar; I am dying from my wounds, even though I've done nothing wrong.’
7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
9 For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing that he should be in accord with God.'
He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that He should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that He should commit iniquity.
So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
11 For the work of a man will He requite unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
13 Who gave Him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
14 If He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath;
If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust.
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this; hearken to the voice of my words.
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 Shall even one that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty —
Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
18 Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'? —
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
19 That respecteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they all are the work of His hands.
He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
20 In a moment they die, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away without hand.
They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
21 For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He seeth all his goings.
For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
23 For He doth not appoint a time unto any man, when he should go before God in judgment.
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquisition, and setteth others in their stead.
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore He taketh knowledge of their works; and He overturneth them in the night, so that they are crushed.
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
27 Because they turned aside from following Him, and would not have regard to any of His ways;
because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted.
They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
29 When He giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when He hideth His face, who then can behold Him? whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man, alike;
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,
30 That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 For hath any said unto God: 'I have borne chastisement, though I offend not;
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
32 That which I see not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
33 Shall His recompense be as thou wilt? For thou loathest it, so that thou must choose, and not I; therefore speak what thou knowest.
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.
34 Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:
For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
35 'Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without discernment.'
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
