Job 34
1 Moreover Elihu answered,
Then Elihu continued,
2 "Hear my words, you sages. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
“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 tries words, as the palate tastes food.
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'
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 like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 Who goes in company with evildoers, and walks with wicked men?
He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'
He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
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.
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 man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will Shaddai pervert justice.
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
13 Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to 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 man would turn again to dust.
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—
Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
18 Who says to a king, 'Vile.' or to nobles, 'Wicked.'?
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
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.
He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
20 In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where evildoers may hide themselves.
There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
23 For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
27 because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,
because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
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,
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 the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 "For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
32 Teach me that which I do not see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
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 understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
35 'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.'
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."
Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
