Job 34
1 Pronuntians itaque Eliu, etiam hæc locutus est:
Then Elihu continued:
2 Audite sapientes verba mea, et eruditi auscultate me:
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 Auris enim verba probat, et guttur escas gustu diiudicat.
For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 Iudicium eligamus nobis, et inter nos videamus quid sit melius.
Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 Quia dixit Iob: Iustus sum, et Deus subvertit iudicium meum.
For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 In iudicando enim me, mendacium est: violenta sagitta mea absque ullo peccato.
Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 Quis est vir ut est Iob, qui bibit subsannationem quasi aquam:
What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 Qui graditur cum operantibus iniquitatem, et ambulat cum viris impiis?
He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 Dixit enim: Non placebit vir Deo, etiam si cucurrerit cum eo.
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
10 Ideo viri cordati audite me, absit a Deo impietas, et ab Omnipotente iniquitas.
Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
11 Opus enim hominis reddet ei, et iuxta vias singulorum restituet eis.
For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12 Vere enim Deus non condemnabit frustra, nec Omnipotens subvertet iudicium.
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 Quem constituit alium super terram? aut quem posuit super orbem, quem fabricatus est?
Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 Si direxerit ad eum cor suum, spiritum illius et flatum ad se trahet.
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 Deficiet omnis caro simul, et homo in cinerem revertetur.
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 Si habes ergo intellectum, audi quod dicitur, et ausculta vocem eloquii mei.
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 Numquid qui non amat iudicium, sanari potest? et quomodo tu eum, qui iustus est, in tantum condemnas?
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 Qui dicit regi, apostata: qui vocat duces impios:
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 Qui non accipit personas principum: nec cognovit tyrannum, cum disceptaret contra pauperum: opus enim manuum eius sunt universi.
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
20 Subito morientur, et in media nocte turbabuntur populi, et pertransibunt, et auferent violentum absque manu.
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 Oculi enim eius super vias hominum, et omnes gressus eorum considerat.
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 Non sunt tenebræ, et non est umbra mortis, ut abscondantur ibi qui operantur iniquitatem.
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 Neque enim ultra in hominis potestate est, ut veniat ad Deum in iudicium.
For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 Conteret multos, et innumerabiles, et stare faciet alios pro eis.
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 Novit enim opera eorum: et idcirco inducet noctem, et conterentur.
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 Quasi impios percussit eos in loco videntium.
He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 Qui quasi de industria recesserunt ab eo, et omnes vias eius intelligere noluerunt:
because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28 Ut pervenire facerent ad eum clamorem egeni, et audiret vocem pauperum.
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29 Ipso enim concedente pacem, quis est qui condemnet? ex quo absconderit vultum, quis est qui contempletur eum et super gentes et super omnes homines?
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 Qui regnare facit hominem hypocritam propter peccata populi.
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 Quia ergo ego locutus sum ad Deum, te quoque non prohibebo.
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 Si erravi, tu doce me: si iniquitatem locutus sum, ultra non addam.
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 Numquid a te Deus expetit eam, quia displicuit tibi? tu enim cœpisti loqui, et non ego: quod si quid nosti melius, loquere.
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 Viri intelligentes loquantur mihi, et vir sapiens audiat me.
Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 Iob autem stulte locutus est, et verba illius non sonant disciplinam.
‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 Pater mi, probetur Iob usque ad finem: ne desinas ab homine iniquitatis.
If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37 Quia addit super peccata sua blasphemiam, inter nos interim constringatur: et tunc ad iudicium provocet sermonibus suis Deum.
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
