Job 34
1 And Elius continued, and said,
Moreover Elihu answered,
2 Hear me, you wise men; listen, you that have knowledge.
“Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.
For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose judgment to ourselves: let us know amount ourselves what is right.
Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgment.
For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.
6 And he has erred in my judgment: my wound is severe without unrighteousness [of mine].
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
7 What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?
What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
8 [saying], I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.
who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks 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 has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with 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.
“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 Yes, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.
For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 And think you that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgment?
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 And who is he that made [the whole world] under heaven, and all things therein?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
14 For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;
If he set his heart on himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
15 all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.
all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
16 Take heed lest he rebuke [you]: hear this, listen to the voice of words.
“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
17 Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.
Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
18 [He is] ungodly that says to a king, You are a transgressor, [that says] to princes, O most ungodly one.
who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
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.
He doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are 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, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
21 For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.
“For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
22 Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he will not lay upon a man more [than right].
For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
24 For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.
He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
25 Who discovers their works, and will bring night about [upon them], and they shall be brought low.
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.
He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,
because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,
28 so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
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 gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike,
30 causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
31 For [there is] one that says to the Mighty One, I have received [blessings]; I will not take a pledge:
“For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
32 I will see apart from myself: do you show me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do [so] any more.
Teach me that which I don’t see. 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 his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
34 Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.
Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
35 But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not [uttered] with knowledge.
‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
36 Howbeit do you learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:
I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his 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 adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”
