Job 34
1 And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
Moreover Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:
Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food.
4 Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right:
6 For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
Notwithstanding my right I am [accounted] a liar; My wound is incurable, [though I am] without transgression.
7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water,
8 Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men?
9 For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.
10 Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.
For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?
Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?
14 If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
If he set his heart upon himself, [If] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.
16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.
If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?
Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous [and] mighty?—
18 Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?
[Him] that saith to a king, [Thou art] vile, [Or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked;
19 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.
That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.
20 They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.
In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.
For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.
24 He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.
He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, And setteth others in their stead.
25 For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
27 Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:
Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways:
28 So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted.
29 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?
When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether [it be done] unto a nation, or unto a man:
30 Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people.
31 Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
For hath any said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:
32 If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.
That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more?
33 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.
Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest.
34 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me:
35 But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
Job speaketh without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.
36 My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.
Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men.
37 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.
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against God.
