Job 34
1 And Elihu commenced, and said,
Then Elihu continued,
2 Hear, O ye wise men, my words; and ye that have knowledge, give ear unto me.
“Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
3 For the ear proveth words, as the palate tasteth the food.
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is just: let us acknowledge between ourselves what is good.
Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, “I am righteous; and God hath taken away justice from me.
Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
6 Should I lie concerning the justice due me? incurable is [my wound from] the arrow I bear in me without any transgression.”
Even though I'm right, I'm treated like a liar; I am dying from my wounds, even though I've done nothing wrong.’
7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh scorning like water,
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 And is on the road to keep company with the wrong-doers, and to walk with men of wickedness?
He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
9 For he hath said, “It profiteth a man nothing when he acteth according to the pleasure of God.”
He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
10 Therefore ye men of sense hearken unto me: far is it from God to practise wickedness; and from the Almighty to do wrong!
So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
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.
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 Yea, surely God will not condemn unjustly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never 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? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
14 If he were to set his heart upon man, he would gather unto himself his spirit and his breath:
If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
15 All flesh would perish together, and the son of earth would return again unto dust.
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 If then thou wishest to understand, hear this: give ear to the sound of my words.
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 Is it possible that he who hateth justice should govern? or wilt thou condemn the righteous mighty One?
Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
18 [Is it fit] to say to a king, Thou art worthless? and to princes, Ye are wicked?
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're 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 doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
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.
They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
21 For big eyes are upon the ways of man, and all his steps doth he see.
For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the evil-doers can hide themselves.
There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
23 For he need not direct [his attention] a long time upon man, that he should enter into judgment before God.
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 He breaketh down mighty men without [long] searching, and placeth others in their stead.
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 For the reason that he knoweth their deeds: therefore he overturneth them in the night, and they are crushed.
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
26 Among wicked men doth he strike them, in the place where [many] see them:
He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
27 Because they have departed from following him, and have not considered all his ways.
because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
28 Bringing before them the cry of the indigent, and the cry of the afflicted which he had to hear.
They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
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:
Yet if God wants to remain silent, who can condemn him? If he chooses to hide his face, who can see him? Whether it concerns a nation or an individual,
30 That no hypocritical man may reign, that such shall not be a mare to the people.
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 For truly it is only fitting to say unto God, “I bear [cheerfully], I will not do any wrong;
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things 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.”
Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
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.
then should God reward you for following your own opinions since you have rejected his? You're the one who has to choose, not me! Tell us what you think.
34 Men of sense will say unto me, and every wise man who heareth me,
For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
35 That Job hath not spoken with knowledge, and that his words are without intelligence.
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 Oh that Job may therefore be probed continually, in order to give answers against sinful men.
If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
37 For he addeth unto his sin transgression: among us he uttereth too many loud words, and multiplieth his speeches against God.
Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
