Job 34
1 And Elihu commenced, and said,
Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear, O ye wise men, my words; and ye that have knowledge, give ear unto me.
Hear my words, O you wise men; and give ear to me, you that have knowledge.
3 For the ear proveth words, as the palate tasteth the food.
For the ear tries words, as the mouth tastes meat.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is just: let us acknowledge between ourselves what is good.
Let us choose to us judgment: 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: and God has taken away my judgment.
6 Should I lie concerning the justice due me? incurable is [my wound from] the arrow I bear in me without any transgression.”
Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh scorning like water,
What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water?
8 And is on the road to keep company with the wrong-doers, and to walk with men of wickedness?
Which 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; and 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 shall he 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 judgment.
13 Who hath given him a charge concerning the earth? or who hath intrusted [him] the whole world?
Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed 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 man, if he gather 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 shall perish together, and man shall 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?
Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just?
18 [Is it fit] to say to a king, Thou art worthless? and to princes, Ye are wicked?
Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?
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.
How much less to him that accepts not the persons of princes, nor regards 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 shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without 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 man, and 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 shadow of death, 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 will not lay on man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He breaketh down mighty men without [long] searching, and placeth others in their stead.
He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 For the reason that he knoweth their deeds: therefore he overturneth them in the night, and they are crushed.
Therefore he knows their works, and 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 back from him, and would not consider 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 cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he hears 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 make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30 That no hypocritical man may reign, that such shall not be a mare to the people.
That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31 For truly it is only fitting to say unto God, “I bear [cheerfully], I will not do any wrong;
Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne chastisement, 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.”
That which I see not teach you me: if I have done iniquity, I will do 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.
Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I: therefore speak what you know.
34 Men of sense will say unto me, and every wise man who heareth me,
Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen to me.
35 That Job hath not spoken with knowledge, and that his words are without intelligence.
Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36 Oh that Job may therefore be probed continually, in order to give answers against sinful men.
My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for 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.
