Job 34

1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,

Moreover Elihu answered and said:

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

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

3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

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

4 Let us choose to us judgment: 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 judgment.

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

6 Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression.

Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; 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 drinketh up scorning like water?

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

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

9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

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

11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.

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

12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

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

13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?

Who gave Him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed 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 upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath;

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

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

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

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

17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

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

18 [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly?

Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye 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.

That respecteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they all are 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.

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

21 For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He seeth 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 shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For he will not lay upon man more [than right; ] that he should enter into judgment with God.

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

24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

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

25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed.

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

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

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

27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:

Because they turned aside from following Him, and would not have regard 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 cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry 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:

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;

30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

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

31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more: ]

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

32 [That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

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

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.

Shall His recompense be as thou wilt? For thou loathest it, so that thou must choose, and not I; therefore speak what thou knowest.

34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

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

35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom.

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

36 My desire [is that] Job may be tried unto the end because of [his] answers for wicked men.

Would that Job were tried unto 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 addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.