Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued,
Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 “Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
Hear my words, O you wise men; and give ear to me, you that have knowledge.
3 The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
For the ear tries words, as the mouth tastes meat.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
For Job has said, I am righteous: and God has taken away my judgment.
6 Even though I'm right, I'm treated like a liar; I am dying from my wounds, even though I've done nothing wrong.’
Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7 Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water?
8 He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
Which goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men.
9 He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10 So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
Therefore listen to me you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
For the work of a man shall he render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed the whole world?
14 If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
If he set his heart on man, if he gather to himself his spirit and his breath;
15 all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again to dust.
16 If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
If now you have understanding, hear this: listen to the voice of my words.
17 Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just?
18 He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?
19 He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
How much less to him that accepts not the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20 They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21 For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
For his eyes are on the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.
22 There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
For he will not lay on man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted.
29 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,
When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30 a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31 If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32 Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
That which I see not teach you me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33 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.
Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I: therefore speak what you know.
34 For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen to me.
35 ‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36 If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37 Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
For he adds rebellion to his sin, he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.
