Job 34
1 And Elius continued, and said,
And Elihu proceeded, and said:
2 Hear me, you wise men; listen, you that have knowledge.
Hear my words, ye wise men! Give ear to me, ye that have knowledge!
3 For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.
For the ear trieth words, As the mouth tasteth meat.
4 Let us choose judgment to ourselves: let us know amount ourselves what is right.
Let us examine for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is true.
5 For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgment.
Job hath said, “I am righteous, And God refuseth me justice.
6 And he has erred in my judgment: my wound is severe without unrighteousness [of mine].
Though I am innocent, I am made a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am free from transgression.”
7 What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?
Where is the man like Job, Who drinketh impiety like water;
8 [saying], I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.
Who goeth in company with evil-doers, And walketh with wicked men?
9 For you should not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas [there is] a visitation on him from the Lord.
For he hath said, “A man hath no advantage, When he delighteth himself in God.”
10 Therefore hear me, you that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the almighty.
Wherefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding! Far be iniquity from God; Yea, far be injustice from the Almighty!
11 Yes, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.
For what a man hath done he will requite him, And render to every one according to his deeds.
12 And think you that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgment?
Surely God will not do iniquity, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 And who is he that made [the whole world] under heaven, and all things therein?
Who hath given him the charge of the earth? Or who hath created the whole world?
14 For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;
Should he set his heart against man, Should he take back his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.
Then would all flesh expire together; Yea, man would return to the dust.
16 Take heed lest he rebuke [you]: hear this, listen to the voice of words.
If thou hast understanding, hear this! Give ear to the voice of my words!
17 Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.
Shall he, that hateth justice, govern? Wilt thou then condemn the just and mighty One?
18 [He is] ungodly that says to a king, You are a transgressor, [that says] to princes, O most ungodly one.
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked; Or to princes, Ye are unrighteous?
19 [Such a one] as would not reverence the face of an honorable man, neither knows how to give honor to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.
How much less to him that is not partial to princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of his hands.
20 But it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside [from their right].
In a moment they die; yea, at midnight Do the people stagger and pass away, And the mighty are destroyed without hand.
21 For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.
For his eyes are upon the ways of man; He seeth all his steps.
22 Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where evil-doers may hide themselves.
23 For he will not lay upon a man more [than right].
He needeth not attend long to a man, That he may go into judgment before God;
24 For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.
He dasheth in pieces the mighty without inquiry, And setteth up others in their stead.
25 Who discovers their works, and will bring night about [upon them], and they shall be brought low.
Therefore he knoweth their works, And in a night he overthroweth them, so that they are destroyed.
26 And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.
On account of their wickedness he smiteth them, In the presence of many beholders;
27 Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,
Because they turned away from him, And had no regard to his ways,
28 so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.
And caused the cry of the poor to come before him; For he heareth the cry of the oppressed.
29 And he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man also:
When he giveth rest, who can cause trouble? And when he hideth his face, Who can behold him?
30 causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.
So is it with nations and individuals alike! That the wicked may no more rule, And may not be snares to the people.
31 For [there is] one that says to the Mighty One, I have received [blessings]; I will not take a pledge:
Surely thou shouldst say unto God, “I have received chastisement; I will no more offend;
32 I will see apart from myself: do you show me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do [so] any more.
What I see not, teach thou me! If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more.”
33 Will he take vengeance for it on you, whereas you will put [it] far [from you]? for you shall choose, and not I; and what you know, speak you.
Shall he recompense according to thy mind, Because thou refusest, or because thou choosest, and not he? Speak, if thou hast knowledge!
34 Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.
Men of understanding, Wise men, who hear me, will say,
35 But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not [uttered] with knowledge.
“Job hath spoken without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.”
36 Howbeit do you learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:
I desire that Job may be tried to the last, For answering like wicked men.
37 that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if [we] speak many words before the Lord.
For he addeth impiety to his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth words against God.
