| 34:1 |
Moreover Elihu answered, |
| 34:2 |
"Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. |
| 34:3 |
For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food. |
| 34:4 |
Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good. |
| 34:5 |
For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right: |
| 34:6 |
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.' |
| 34:7 |
What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water, |
| 34:8 |
Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men? |
| 34:9 |
For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.' |
| 34:10 |
"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. |
| 34:11 |
For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. |
| 34:12 |
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. |
| 34:13 |
Who gave him a charge over the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world? |
| 34:14 |
If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath, |
| 34:15 |
all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. |
| 34:16 |
"If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words. |
| 34:17 |
Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?-- |
| 34:18 |
Who says to a king, 'Vile!' or to nobles, 'Wicked!'? |
| 34:19 |
Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands. |
| 34:20 |
In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand. |
| 34:21 |
"For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings. |
| 34:22 |
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. |
| 34:23 |
For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment. |
| 34:24 |
He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place. |
| 34:25 |
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. |
| 34:26 |
He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; |
| 34:27 |
because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways, |
| 34:28 |
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted. |
| 34:29 |
When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man, |
| 34:30 |
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people. |
| 34:31 |
"For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more. |
| 34:32 |
Teach me that which I don't see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'? |
| 34:33 |
Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know. |
| 34:34 |
Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me: |
| 34:35 |
'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.' |
| 34:36 |
I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men. |
| 34:37 |
For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God." |
