Job 34
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
Then Elihu continued,
2 Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
“Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good!
Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my judgment:
Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
6 Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.
Even though I'm right, I'm treated like a liar; I am dying from my wounds, even though I've done nothing wrong.’
7 What man is like Job? he drinketh up scorning like water,
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
9 For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself in God.
He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from God, and wrong from the Almighty!
So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
11 For a man's work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his] way.
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 Yea, surely, God acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
13 Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
14 If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath,
If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
15 All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?
Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
18 Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're 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.
He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
20 In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the strong are taken away without hand.
They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps.
For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
23 For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before God in judgment.
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,
He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
27 Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;
because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
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;
Yet if God wants to remain silent, who can condemn him? If he chooses to hide his face, who can see him? Whether it concerns a nation or an individual,
30 That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared.
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 For hath he said unto God, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend;
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
32 What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more?
Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
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.
then should God reward you for following your own opinions since you have rejected his? You're the one who has to choose, not me! Tell us what you think.
34 Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me:
For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence.
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of evil men!
If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
