Job 34

1 Then Elihu continued:

1 Moreover Elihu answered,

2 “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.

2 “Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

5 For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.

6 Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’

7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,

8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

8 who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?

9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’

10 Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.

10 “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.

11 For the work of a man he will give to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?

13 Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?

14 If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

14 If he set his heart on himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

15 all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

15 all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.

16 “If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

17 Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,

18 who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

18 who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?

19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

19 He doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands.

20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

20 In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.

21 For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.

21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

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

23 For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.

23 For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.

24 He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.

25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

26 He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,

26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

27 because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.

27 because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,

28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.

28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.

29 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,

29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike,

30 that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.

30 that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

31 Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

31 “For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

32 Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

33 Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

34 Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:

34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’

35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’

36 If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.

36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”