< Job 34 >

1 And Elius continued, and said,
And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
2 Hear me, you wise men; listen, you that have knowledge.
Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:
3 For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.
For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
4 Let us choose judgement to ourselves: let us know amount ourselves what is right.
Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
5 For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgement.
For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
6 And he has erred in my judgement: my wound is severe without unrighteousness [of mine].
For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
7 What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?
What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 [saying], I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.
Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
9 For you should not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas [there is] a visitation on him from the Lord.
For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
10 Therefore hear me, you that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the almighty.
Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.
11 Yes, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.
For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.
12 And think you that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgement?
For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 And who is he that made [the whole world] under heaven, and all things therein?
What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?
14 For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;
If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
15 all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
16 Take heed lest he rebuke [you]: hear this, listen to the voice of words.
If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.
Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?
18 [He is] ungodly that says to a king, You are a transgressor, [that says] to princes, O most ungodly one.
Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?
19 [Such a one] as would not reverence the face of an honourable man, neither knows how to give honour to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.
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 But it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside [from their right].
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 he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.
For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.
22 Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.
There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
23 For he will not lay upon a man more [than right].
For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
24 For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.
He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.
25 Who discovers their works, and will bring night about [upon them], and they shall be brought low.
For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
26 And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.
He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
27 Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,
Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:
28 so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.
So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
29 And he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man also:
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 causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.
Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
31 For [there is] one that says to the Mighty One, I have received [blessings]; I will not take a pledge:
Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
32 I will see apart from myself: do you show me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do [so] any more.
If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.
33 Will he take vengeance for it on you, whereas you will put [it] far [from you]? for you shall choose, and not I; and what you know, speak you.
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 Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.
Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
35 But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not [uttered] with knowledge.
But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
36 Howbeit do you learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:
My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.
37 that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if [we] speak many words before the Lord.
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.

< Job 34 >