Job 34

1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,

Moreover Elihu answered, and said,

2 Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

Hear my words, ye wise men, and give ear to me, ye who have knowledge.

3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth meat.

For the ear tries words as the palate tastes food.

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

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

5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right:

For Job has said, I am righteous, and God has taken away my right.

6 Notwithstanding my right I am [accounted] a liar; my wound is incurable, [though I am] without transgression.

Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.

7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water,

8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

saying, I have not sinned, nor committed unrighteousness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity to go with the profane.

9 For he hath said, it profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

For thou should not say, There shall be no visitation to a man, whereas visitation is to him from the Lord.

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

Therefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding. Far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and pervert righteousness before the Almighty.

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

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

12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

Yea, certainly God will not do wrong. Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

13 Who gave him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?

Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who has disposed the whole world?

14 If he set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

If he sets his heart upon himself, if he gathers his spirit and his breath to himself,

15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

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

16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

If now thou be understanding, hear this. Hearken to the voice of words.

17 Shall even one that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is just [and] mighty?

Behold thou him who hates lawlessness, and who destroys evil men, who is forever righteousness,

18 Is it [fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] vile? [or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked?

him who says to a king, Thou are vile, to ranking men, Ye are wicked,

19 [How much less to] him that respecteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

who does not respect the persons of rulers, nor regards the rich more than the poor. For they all are the work of his hands.

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

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

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he seeth all his goings.

For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he sees all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

There is no darkness, nor thick gloom where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For he needeth not further to consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment.

For he needs no further to consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment.

24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, and setteth others in their stead.

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

25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

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

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

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

27 Because they turned aside from following him, and would not have regard to any of his ways:

because they turned aside from following him, and would not have regard in any of his ways,

28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted.

so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted.

29 When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether [it be done] unto a nation, or unto a man, alike:

When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hides his face, who then can behold him? It is the same whether to a nation, or to a man,

30 That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.

that the profane man not reign, that there be none to ensnare the people.

31 For hath any said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:

For has any said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more.

32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more?

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

33 Shall his recompence be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? for thou must choose, and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

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

34 Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:

Men of understanding will say to me, yes, every wise man who hears me,

35 Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom.

Job speaks without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom.

36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

But surely not. Learn thou Job not to still give an answer like the foolish,

37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

so that we may not add to our sins, and lawlessness will be reckoned against us, speaking many words before the Lord.