Job 34
1 Pronuncians itaque Eliu, etiam haec locutus est:
Then Elihu continued,
2 Audite sapientes verba mea, et eruditi auscultate me:
“Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
3 Auris enim verba probat, et guttur escas gustu diiudicat.
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 Iudicium eligamus nobis, et inter nos videamus quid sit melius.
Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
5 Quia dixit Iob: Iustus sum, et Deus subvertit iudicium meum.
Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
6 In iudicando enim me, mendacium est: violenta sagitta mea absque ullo peccato.
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 Quis est vir ut est Iob, qui bibit subsannationem quasi aquam:
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 Qui graditur cum operantibus iniquitatem, et ambulat cum viris impiis?
He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
9 Dixit enim: Non placebit vir Deo, etiam si cucurrerit cum eo.
He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
10 Ideo viri cordati audite me, absit a Deo impietas, et ab Omnipotente iniquitas.
So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
11 Opus enim hominis reddet ei, et iuxta vias singulorum restituet eis.
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 Vere enim Deus non condemnabit frustra, nec Omnipotens subvertet iudicium.
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
13 Quem constituit alium super terram? aut quem posuit super orbem, quem fabricatus est?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
14 Si direxerit ad eum cor suum, spiritum illius et flatum ad se trahet.
If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
15 Deficiet omnis caro simul, et homo in cinerem revertetur.
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 Si habes ergo intellectum, audi quod dicitur, et ausculta vocem eloquii mei.
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 Numquid qui non amat iudicium, sanari potest? et quomodo tu eum, qui iustus est, in tantum condemnas?
Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
18 Qui dicit regi, apostata: qui vocat duces impios:
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
19 Qui non accipit personas principum: nec cognovit tyrannum, cum disceptaret contra pauperem: opus enim manuum eius sunt universi.
He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
20 Subito morientur, et in media nocte turbabuntur populi, et pertransibunt, et auferent violentum absque manu.
They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
21 Oculi enim eius super vias hominum, et omnes gressus eorum considerat.
For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
22 Non sunt tenebrae, et non est umbra mortis, ut abscondantur ibi qui operantur iniquitatem.
There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
23 Neque enim ultra in hominis potestate est, ut veniat ad Deum in iudicium.
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 Conteret multos, et innumerabiles, et stare faciet alios pro eis.
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 Novit enim opera eorum: et idcirco inducet noctem, et conterentur.
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
26 Quasi impios percussit eos in loco videntium.
He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
27 Qui quasi de industria recesserunt ab eo, et omnes vias eius intelligere noluerunt:
because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
28 Ut pervenire facerent ad eum clamorem egeni, et audiret vocem pauperum.
They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
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?
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 Qui regnare facit hominem hypocritam propter peccata populi.
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 Quia ergo ego locutus sum ad Deum, te quoque non prohibebo.
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
32 Si erravi, tu doce me: si iniquitatem locutus sum, ultra non addam.
Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
33 Numquid a te Deus expetit eam, quia displicuit tibi? tu enim coepisti loqui, et non ego: quod si quid nosti melius, loquere.
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 Viri intelligentes loquantur mihi, et vir sapiens audiat me.
For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
35 Iob autem stulte locutus est, et verba illius non sonant disciplinam.
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 Pater mi, probetur Iob usque ad finem: ne desinas ab homine iniquitatis.
If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
37 Qui addit super peccata sua blasphemiam, inter nos interim constringatur: et tunc ad iudicium provocet sermonibus suis Deum.
Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
