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34 And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:

Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:

For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.

Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.

For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.

For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.

What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?

For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.

10 Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.

11 For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.

12 For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?

14 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 return into ashes.

16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?

18 Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?

19 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 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 men, and he considereth all their steps.

22 There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.

23 For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.

24 He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.

25 For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.

26 He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.

27 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 needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.

29 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 Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?

31 Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.

32 If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.

33 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 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.

35 But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.

36 My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.

37 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.

34 Then Elihu said:

“Hear my words, you wise men;
    listen to me,(A) you men of learning.
For the ear tests words
    as the tongue tastes food.(B)
Let us discern for ourselves what is right;(C)
    let us learn together what is good.(D)

“Job says, ‘I am innocent,(E)
    but God denies me justice.(F)
Although I am right,
    I am considered a liar;(G)
although I am guiltless,(H)
    his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’(I)
Is there anyone like Job,
    who drinks scorn like water?(J)
He keeps company with evildoers;
    he associates with the wicked.(K)
For he says, ‘There is no profit
    in trying to please God.’(L)

10 “So listen to me,(M) you men of understanding.(N)
    Far be it from God to do evil,(O)
    from the Almighty to do wrong.(P)
11 He repays everyone for what they have done;(Q)
    he brings on them what their conduct deserves.(R)
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,(S)
    that the Almighty would pervert justice.(T)
13 Who appointed(U) him over the earth?
    Who put him in charge of the whole world?(V)
14 If it were his intention
    and he withdrew his spirit[a](W) and breath,(X)
15 all humanity would perish(Y) together
    and mankind would return to the dust.(Z)

16 “If you have understanding,(AA) hear this;
    listen to what I say.(AB)
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?(AC)
    Will you condemn the just and mighty One?(AD)
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
    and to nobles,(AE) ‘You are wicked,’(AF)
19 who shows no partiality(AG) to princes
    and does not favor the rich over the poor,(AH)
    for they are all the work of his hands?(AI)
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;(AJ)
    the people are shaken and they pass away;
    the mighty are removed without human hand.(AK)

21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals;(AL)
    he sees their every step.(AM)
22 There is no deep shadow,(AN) no utter darkness,(AO)
    where evildoers can hide.(AP)
23 God has no need to examine people further,(AQ)
    that they should come before him for judgment.(AR)
24 Without inquiry he shatters(AS) the mighty(AT)
    and sets up others in their place.(AU)
25 Because he takes note of their deeds,(AV)
    he overthrows them in the night(AW) and they are crushed.(AX)
26 He punishes them for their wickedness(AY)
    where everyone can see them,
27 because they turned from following him(AZ)
    and had no regard for any of his ways.(BA)
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,
    so that he heard the cry of the needy.(BB)
29 But if he remains silent,(BC) who can condemn him?(BD)
    If he hides his face,(BE) who can see him?
Yet he is over individual and nation alike,(BF)
30     to keep the godless(BG) from ruling,(BH)
    from laying snares for the people.(BI)

31 “Suppose someone says to God,
    ‘I am guilty(BJ) but will offend no more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see;(BK)
    if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’(BL)
33 Should God then reward you on your terms,
    when you refuse to repent?(BM)
You must decide, not I;
    so tell me what you know.

34 “Men of understanding declare,
    wise men who hear me say to me,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge;(BN)
    his words lack insight.’(BO)
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost
    for answering like a wicked man!(BP)
37 To his sin he adds rebellion;
    scornfully he claps his hands(BQ) among us
    and multiplies his words(BR) against God.”(BS)

Footnotes

  1. Job 34:14 Or Spirit