Job 34
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
Then Elihu continued:
2 Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth meat.
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 hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right:
For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 Notwithstanding my right I am [accounted] a liar; my wound is incurable, [though I am] without transgression.
Would I lie about my case? 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 derision like water?
8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 For he hath said, it profiteth 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 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 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 shall he render unto 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 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 Who gave him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 If he set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 Shall even one that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is just [and] mighty?
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 Is it [fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] vile? [or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked?
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You 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 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, and the mighty are taken away without 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 upon the ways of a man, and he seeth 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 shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 For he needeth not further to consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment.
For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, and setteth others in their stead.
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; and he overturneth 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 striketh 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 would not have regard 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 unto him, and 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 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:
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 reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 For hath any said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 That which I see not teach thou me: 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 recompence be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? for thou must choose, and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
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 say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:
Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom.
‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 Would that Job were tried unto 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 addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
