Job 34

1 Moreover Elihu answered and said:

Moreover Elihu answered,

2 Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

"Hear my words, you sages. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.

For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

4 Let us choose for us that which is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.

Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 For Job hath said: 'I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right;

For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:

6 Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'

Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'

7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,

8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

Who goes in company with evildoers, and walks with wicked men?

9 For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing that he should be in accord with God.'

For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'

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.

"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from Shaddai, that he should commit iniquity.

11 For the work of a man will He requite unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will Shaddai 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? or who has appointed him over the whole world?

14 If He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath;

If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust.

all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this; hearken to the voice of my words.

"If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

17 Shall even one that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty —

Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—

18 Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'? —

Who says to a king, 'Vile.' or to nobles, '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.

Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands.

20 In a moment they die, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away without hand.

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 His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He seeth all his goings.

"For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where evildoers may hide themselves.

23 For He doth not appoint a time unto any man, when he should go before God in judgment.

For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquisition, and setteth others in their stead.

He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.

25 Therefore He taketh knowledge of their works; and He overturneth them in the night, so that they are crushed.

Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

27 Because they turned aside from following Him, and would not have regard to any of His ways;

because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,

28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted.

so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.

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;

When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,

30 That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.

that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

31 For hath any said unto God: 'I have borne chastisement, though I offend not;

"For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

32 That which I see not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

Teach me that which I do not see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

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.

Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

34 Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:

Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

35 'Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without discernment.'

'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.'

36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."