Job 34

1 Moreover Elihu answered,

And Elius continued, and said,

2 "Hear my words, you sages. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

Hear me, you wise men; listen, you that have knowledge.

3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.

4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

Let us choose judgement to ourselves: let us know amount ourselves what is right.

5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:

For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgement.

6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'

And he has erred in my judgement: my wound is severe without unrighteousness [of mine].

7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,

What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?

8 Who goes in company with evildoers, and walks with wicked men?

[saying], I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.

9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'

For you should not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas [there is] a visitation on him from the Lord.

10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from Shaddai, that he should commit iniquity.

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.

11 For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Yes, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.

12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will Shaddai pervert justice.

And think you that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgement?

13 Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?

And who is he that made [the whole world] under heaven, and all things therein?

14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;

15 all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.

16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

Take heed lest he rebuke [you]: hear this, listen to the voice of words.

17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?

Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.

18 Who says to a king, 'Vile.' or to nobles, 'Wicked.'?

[He is] ungodly that says to a king, You are a transgressor, [that says] to princes, O most ungodly one.

19 Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands.

[Such a one] as would not reverence the face of an honourable man, neither knows how to give honour to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.

20 In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.

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].

21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.

22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where evildoers may hide themselves.

Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.

23 For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

For he will not lay upon a man more [than right].

24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.

For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.

25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

Who discovers their works, and will bring night about [upon them], and they shall be brought low.

26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.

27 because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,

Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,

28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.

so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.

29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,

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:

30 that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.

31 "For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

For [there is] one that says to the Mighty One, I have received [blessings]; I will not take a pledge:

32 Teach me that which I do not see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

I will see apart from myself: do you show me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do [so] any more.

33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

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.

34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.

35 'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.'

But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not [uttered] with knowledge.

36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

Howbeit do you learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:

37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."

that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if [we] speak many words before the Lord.