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34 Moreover Elihu answered and said,

Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.

Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good!

For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my judgment:

Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.

What man is like Job? he drinketh up scorning like water,

And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself in God.

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from God, and wrong from the Almighty!

11 For a man's work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his] way.

12 Yea, surely, God acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.

13 Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world?

14 If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath,

15 All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.

16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!

17 Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?

18 Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?

19 [How then to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich man more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands.

20 In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the strong are taken away without hand.

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps.

22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before God in judgment.

24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;

25 Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.

26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,

27 Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;

28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

29 When he giveth quietness, who then will disturb? and when he hideth [his] face, who shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike;

30 That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared.

31 For hath he said unto God, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend;

32 What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more?

33 Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused [his judgment]; for thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest.

34 Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me:

35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence.

36 Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of evil men!

37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

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