Job 34
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
2 Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto 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 palate tasteth meat.
For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
4 Let us choose for us that which is right: let us know among ourselves what is good.
Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right:
For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
6 Notwithstanding my right I am [accounted] a liar; my wound is incurable, [though I am] without transgression.
For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
9 For he hath said, it profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
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, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from 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 he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.
12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who gave him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?
14 If he set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken 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 even one that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is just [and] mighty?
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] vile? [or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked?
Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?
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 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, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away 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 a man, and he seeth all his goings.
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 the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
23 For he needeth not further to consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment.
For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, and setteth others in their stead.
He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.
25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
27 Because they turned aside from following him, and would not have regard to any of his ways:
Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all 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 needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
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:
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 That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.
Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
31 For hath any said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:
Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
32 That which 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 his recompence be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? for thou must choose, and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
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 will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:
Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
35 Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom.
But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his 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 rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his 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.
