| Chapter 34 |
1 |
Moreover Elihu answered, |
2 |
"Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. |
3 |
For the ear tries words, As the palate tastes food. |
4 |
Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good. |
5 |
For Job has said, `I am righteous, God has taken away my right: |
6 |
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.` |
7 |
What man is like Job, Who drinks up scoffing like water, |
8 |
Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men? |
9 |
For he has said, `It profits a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.` |
10 |
"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, From the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. |
11 |
For the work of a man will he render to him, And cause every man to find according to his ways. |
12 |
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice. |
13 |
Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world? |
14 |
If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath; |
15 |
All flesh would perish together, And man would turn again to dust. |
16 |
"If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words. |
17 |
Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?-- |
18 |
Who says to a king, `Vile!` Or to nobles, `Wicked!` |
19 |
Who doesn`t respect the persons of princes, Nor regards the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands. |
20 |
In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, The mighty are taken away without hand. |
21 |
"For his eyes are on the ways of a man, He sees all his goings. |
22 |
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. |
23 |
For he doesn`t need to consider a man further, That he should go before God in judgment. |
24 |
He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, And sets others in their place. |
25 |
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. |
26 |
He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others; |
27 |
Because they turned aside from following him, And wouldn`t have regard in any of his ways: |
28 |
So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, He heard the cry of the afflicted. |
29 |
When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man: |
30 |
That the godless man may not reign, That there be no one to ensnare the people. |
31 |
"For has any said to God, `I am guilty, but I will not offend any more. |
32 |
Teach me that which I don`t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more`? |
33 |
Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know. |
34 |
Men of understanding will tell me, Yes, every wise man who hears me: |
35 |
`Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom.` |
36 |
I wish that Job were tried to the end, Because of his answering like wicked men. |
37 |
For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God." |