Job 34
1 Moreover Elihu answered,
Then Elihu continued:
2 "Hear my words, you sages. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'
Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 Who goes in company with evildoers, and walks with wicked men?
He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
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 listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
11 For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will Shaddai pervert justice.
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?
Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 Who says to a king, 'Vile.' or to nobles, 'Wicked.'?
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are 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.
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
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 an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where evildoers may hide themselves.
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and 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.
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,
because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
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,
But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,
30 that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 "For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 Teach me that which I do not see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not 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.
Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.'
‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
