Job 34
1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
Then Elihu continued:
2 Hear my words, O ye wise [men; ] and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what [is] good.
Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression.
Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up scorning like water?
What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in 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, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.
For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who 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 were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly?
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 [How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all [are] the work of his hands.
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
21 For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 [There is] no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 For he will not lay upon man more [than right; ] that he should enter into judgment with God.
For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for 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.
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth [his] face, who then can behold him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man only:
But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,
30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more: ]
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 [That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 [Should it be] according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom.
‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 My desire [is that] Job may be tried unto the end because of [his] answers for wicked men.
If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
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.”
