Job 34
1 And Elihu commenced, and said,
Moreover Elihu answered,
2 Hear, O ye wise men, my words; and ye that have knowledge, give ear unto me.
“Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 For the ear proveth words, as the palate tasteth the food.
For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is just: let us acknowledge between 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 justice from me.
For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.
6 Should I lie concerning the justice due me? incurable is [my wound from] the arrow I bear in me without any transgression.”
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh scorning like water,
What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
8 And is on the road to keep company with the wrong-doers, and to walk with men of wickedness?
who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
9 For he hath said, “It profiteth a man nothing when he acteth according to the pleasure of God.”
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’
10 Therefore ye men of sense hearken unto me: far is it from God to practise wickedness; and from the Almighty to do wrong!
“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 For the work of a son of earth doth he recompense unto him, and according to the path of man doth he permit things to occur to him.
For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yea, surely God will not condemn unjustly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who hath given him a charge concerning the earth? or who hath intrusted [him] the whole world?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
14 If he were to set his heart upon man, he would 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 would perish together, and the son of earth would return again unto dust.
all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
16 If then thou wishest to understand, hear this: give ear to the sound of my words.
“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
17 Is it possible that he who hateth justice should govern? or wilt thou condemn the righteous mighty One?
Should 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 worthless? and to princes, Ye are wicked?
who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
19 Whereas he is one that showeth no favor to chieftains, and distinguisheth not the rich before the indigent; for all of them are the work of his hands.
He does not respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment will they die, and in the midst of the night; people are moved, and pass away: and the mighty will be removed without a human 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 big eyes are upon the ways of man, and all his steps doth he see.
“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 evil-doers can hide themselves.
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he need not direct [his attention] a long time upon man, that he should enter into judgment before God.
For he does not need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
24 He breaketh down mighty men without [long] searching, and placeth others in their stead.
He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
25 For the reason that he knoweth their deeds: therefore he overturneth them in the night, and they are crushed.
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 Among wicked men doth he strike them, in the place where [many] see them:
He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they have departed from following him, and have not considered all his ways.
because they turned away from following him, and would not pay attention to any of his ways,
28 Bringing before them the cry of the indigent, and the cry of the afflicted which he had to hear.
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he now granteth rest, who will condemn [him]! and when he hideth his face, who can behold him? whether it be against a nation, or against one man, it is the same:
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 That no hypocritical man may reign, that such shall not be a mare to the people.
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
31 For truly it is only fitting to say unto God, “I bear [cheerfully], I will not do any wrong;
“For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
32 What I cannot see myself, do thou truly teach me; if I have done what is unjust, I will do so no more.”
Teach me that which I do not see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
33 Should he then according to thy view send a recompense, because thou hast rejected him? “Because thou must choose, and not I?” and what thou knowest, do speak.
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 sense will say unto me, and every wise man who heareth me,
Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
35 That Job hath not spoken with knowledge, and that his words are without intelligence.
‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
36 Oh that Job may therefore be probed continually, in order to give answers against sinful men.
I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
37 For he addeth unto his sin transgression: among us he uttereth too many loud words, and multiplieth his speeches against God.
For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”
