Job 34
1 And Elihu proceeded, and said:
And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
2 Hear my words, ye wise men! Give ear to me, ye that have knowledge!
Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:
3 For the ear trieth words, As the mouth tasteth meat.
For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
4 Let us examine for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is true.
Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
5 Job hath said, “I am righteous, And God refuseth me justice.
For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
6 Though I am innocent, I am made a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am free from transgression.”
For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
7 Where is the man like Job, Who drinketh impiety like water;
What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 Who goeth in company with evil-doers, And walketh with wicked men?
Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
9 For he hath said, “A man hath no advantage, When he delighteth himself in God.”
For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
10 Wherefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding! Far be iniquity from God; Yea, far be injustice from the Almighty!
Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.
11 For what a man hath done he will requite him, And render to every one according to his deeds.
For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.
12 Surely God will not do iniquity, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who hath given him the charge of the earth? Or who hath created the whole world?
What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?
14 Should he set his heart against man, Should he take back his spirit and his breath,
If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
15 Then would all flesh expire together; Yea, man would return to the dust.
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
16 If thou hast understanding, hear this! Give ear to the voice of my words!
If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Shall he, that hateth justice, govern? Wilt thou then condemn the just and mighty One?
Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?
18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked; Or to princes, Ye are unrighteous?
Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?
19 How much less to him that is not partial to princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of his hands.
Who accepteth not the persons of princes: nor hath regarded the tyrant, when he contended against the poor man: for all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment they die; yea, at midnight Do the people stagger and pass away, And the mighty are destroyed without hand.
They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man; He seeth all his steps.
For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where evil-doers may hide themselves.
There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
23 He needeth not attend long to a man, That he may go into judgment before God;
For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
24 He dasheth in pieces the mighty without inquiry, And setteth up others in their stead.
He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, And in a night he overthroweth them, so that they are destroyed.
For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
26 On account of their wickedness he smiteth them, In the presence of many beholders;
He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
27 Because they turned away from him, And had no regard to his ways,
Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:
28 And caused the cry of the poor to come before him; For he heareth the cry of the oppressed.
So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
29 When he giveth rest, who can cause trouble? And when he hideth his face, Who can behold him?
For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?
30 So is it with nations and individuals alike! That the wicked may no more rule, And may not be snares to the people.
Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
31 Surely thou shouldst say unto God, “I have received chastisement; I will no more offend;
Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
32 What I see not, teach thou me! If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more.”
If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.
33 Shall he recompense according to thy mind, Because thou refusest, or because thou choosest, and not he? Speak, if thou hast knowledge!
Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou begannest to speak, and not I: but if thou know any thing better, speak.
34 Men of understanding, Wise men, who hear me, will say,
Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
35 “Job hath spoken without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.”
But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
36 I desire that Job may be tried to the last, For answering like wicked men.
My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.
37 For he addeth impiety to his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth words against God.
Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.
