Job 34
1 And Elihu proceeded, and said:
Then Elihu continued,
2 Hear my words, ye wise men! Give ear to me, ye that 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 trieth words, As the mouth tasteth meat.
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 Let us examine for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is true.
Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
5 Job hath said, “I am righteous, And God refuseth me justice.
Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
6 Though I am innocent, I am made a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am free from transgression.”
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 Where is the man like Job, Who drinketh impiety like water;
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 Who goeth in company with evil-doers, And walketh with wicked men?
He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
9 For he hath said, “A man hath no advantage, When he delighteth himself in God.”
He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
10 Wherefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding! Far be iniquity from God; Yea, far be injustice from the Almighty!
So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
11 For what a man hath done he will requite him, And render to every one according to his deeds.
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 Surely God will not do iniquity, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
13 Who hath given him the charge of the earth? Or who hath created the whole world?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
14 Should he set his heart against man, Should he take back his spirit and his breath,
If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
15 Then would all flesh expire together; Yea, man would return to the dust.
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 If thou hast understanding, hear this! Give ear to the voice of my words!
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 Shall he, that hateth justice, govern? Wilt thou then condemn the just and mighty One?
Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked; Or to princes, Ye are unrighteous?
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
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.
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; yea, at midnight Do the people stagger and pass away, And the mighty are destroyed without hand.
They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man; He seeth all his steps.
For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where evil-doers may hide themselves.
There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
23 He needeth not attend long to a man, That he may go into judgment before God;
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 He dasheth in pieces the mighty without inquiry, And setteth up others in their stead.
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, And in a night he overthroweth them, so that they are destroyed.
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
26 On account of their wickedness he smiteth them, In the presence of many beholders;
He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
27 Because they turned away from him, And had no regard to his ways,
because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
28 And caused the cry of the poor to come before him; For he heareth the cry of the oppressed.
They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
29 When he giveth rest, who can cause trouble? And when he hideth his face, Who can behold him?
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 So is it with nations and individuals alike! That the wicked may no more rule, And may not be snares to the people.
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 Surely thou shouldst say unto God, “I have received chastisement; I will no more offend;
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
32 What I see not, teach thou me! 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 he recompense according to thy mind, Because thou refusest, or because thou choosest, and not he? Speak, if thou hast knowledge!
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, Wise men, who hear me, will say,
For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
35 “Job hath spoken without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.”
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 I desire that Job may be tried to the last, For answering like wicked men.
If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
37 For he addeth impiety to his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth 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.”
