Job 34
1 pronuntians itaque Heliu etiam haec 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
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 sanare 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 pauperem 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 tenebrae 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 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 intellegere 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 gentem 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 prohibeo
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 coepisti 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 intellegentes 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 in hominibus 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.”
