Job 34

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.footnote a

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.footnote b

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.footnote c

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?footnote d

14If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;footnote e

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?footnote f

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.footnote g

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.footnote h

24He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.footnote i

25Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.footnote j

26He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;footnote k

27Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:footnote l

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.footnote m

34Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.footnote n

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.footnote o

37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

Elihu Confirms God’s Justice

1Then Elihu continued:

2“Hear my words, O wise men;give ear to me, O men of learning. 3For the ear tests wordsas the mouth tastes food. 4Let us choose for ourselves what is right;let us learn together what is good. 5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous,yet God has deprived me of justice. 6Would I lie about my case?My wound is incurable,though I am without transgression.’ 7What man is like Job,who drinks up derision like water? 8He keeps company with evildoersand walks with wicked men. 9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothingthat he should delight in God.’

10Therefore listen to me,O men of understanding.Far be it from God to do wrong,and from the Almighty to act unjustly. 11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him;according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. 12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly,and the Almighty does not pervert justice. 13Who gave Him charge over the earth?Who appointed Him over the whole world? 14If He were to set His heart to itand withdraw His Spirit and breath, 15all flesh would perish togetherand mankind would return to the dust.

16If you have understanding, hear this;listen to my words. 17Could one who hates justice govern?Will you condemn the just and mighty One, 18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ 19who is not partial to princesand does not favor rich over poor?For they are all the work of His hands. 20They die in an instant,in the middle of the night.The people convulse and pass away;the mighty are removed without human hand.

21For His eyes are on the ways of a man,and He sees his every step. 22There is no darkness or deep shadowwhere the workers of iniquity can hide. 23For God need not examine a man furtheror have him approach for judgment. 24He shatters the mighty without inquiryand sets up others in their place. 25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds;He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. 26He strikes them for their wickednessin full view, 27because they turned aside from Himand had no regard for any of His ways. 28They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him,and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. 29But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him?When He hides His face, who can see Him?Yet He watches over both man and nation, 30that godless men should not ruleor lay snares for the people.

31Suppose someone says to God,‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. 32Teach me what I cannot see;if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ 33Should God repay you on your own termswhen you have disavowed Him?You must choose, not I;so tell me what you know. 34Men of understanding will declare to me,and the wise men who hear me will say: 35‘Job speaks without knowledge;his words lack insight.’ 36If only Job were tried to the utmostfor answering like a wicked man. 37For he adds rebellion to his sin;he claps his hands among usand multiplies his words against God.”