Job 34
1After proclaiming these things, Eliu now had this to say:
2May the wise hear my words, and may the educated listen to me.
3For the ear examines words, and the mouth discerns foods by the taste.
4Let us choose judgment for ourselves, and let us consider among ourselves what is best.
5For Job has said: “I am just, yet God has subverted my judgment.
6For, within my judgment, there is a lie: my vehement barbs are without any sin.”
7What man is there that is like Job, who drinks up derision as if it were water,
8who accompanies those who work iniquity, and who walks with impious men?
9For he has said, “Man will not please God, even if he should travel with him.”
10Therefore, prudent men, hear me: impiety is far from God, and iniquity is far from the Almighty.
11For he will restore to man his works, and according to the ways of each, he will repay them.
12For truly, God will not condemn in vain, nor will the Almighty repudiate judgment.
13What other is established over the earth? Or whom has he placed over the world, which he made?
14But, if he directs his heart towards him, he will draw his spirit and breath to himself.
15All flesh will fail together, and man will return to ashes.
16Therefore, if you have understanding, hear what is said, and heed the sound of my eloquence.
17Is he that does not love judgment able to be corrected? And how can you so greatly condemn him who is just?
18He says to the king, “You are an apostate.” He calls commanders impious.
19He does not accept the reputation of leaders; nor does he recognize the tyrant as he contends against the poor. For all are the work of his hands.
20They will die suddenly, and the people will be troubled in the middle of the night, but they will pass through it, and the violent will be taken away without a hand.
21For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he examines all of their steps.
22There is no darkness and no shadow of death, where those who work iniquity may be hidden.
23For it is no longer within the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
24He will break into many innumerable pieces, and he will cause others to stand up in their place.
25For he knows their works, and, as a result, he will bring the night, and they will be crushed.
26Just as the impious do, he has struck them in a place where they can be seen.
27They, as if with great diligence, have withdrawn from him, and they refused to understand all his ways,
28so that they caused the outcry of the needy to reach him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
29For, when he grants peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hides his face, who is there that can contemplate him, either among the nations, or among all men?
30He causes a hypocritical man to reign because of the sins of the people.
31Therefore, since I have been speaking about God, I will not prevent you from doing the same.
32If I have erred, you may teach me; if I have spoken unfairly, I will add no more.
33Does God require this of you because it is displeasing to you? For you were the first to speak, and not I. But if you know something better, speak.
34Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man listen to me.
35But Job has been speaking foolishly, and his words contain unsound teaching.
36My father, let Job be tested even to the end; may you not retreat from a man of iniquity.
37For he adds blasphemy on top of his sins; nevertheless, let him be constrained to be among us, and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.
1Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
6Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10Therefore 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.
11For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
14If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
16If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
18Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19How 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.
20In 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.
21For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29When 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:
30That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33Should 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.
34Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.