Job 34
1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
Then Elihu continued,
2 Hear my words, O 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 mouth tasteth meat.
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 Let us choose to us judgment: 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, [who] drinketh up scorning like water?
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 Which goeth in company with the 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 a man nothing that he should delight himself with 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 it from God, [that he should do] wickedness; and [from] the Almighty, [that he should commit] iniquity.
So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or 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 set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most 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 [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly?
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
19 [How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all [are] 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 shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be 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 goings.
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 will not lay upon man more [than right; ] that he should enter into judgment with God.
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed.
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 turned back from him, and would not consider any 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 can make trouble? and when he hideth [his] face, who then can behold him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man only:
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 hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more: ]
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
32 [That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
33 [Should it be] according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak 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 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto 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] without wisdom.
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 My desire [is that] Job may be tried unto the end because of [his] answers for wicked 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.”
