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 amongst 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 scorn 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 he will give 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 put him in charge of 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 Should 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 He doesn’t respect the persons of princes , nor respect 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 a 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 judgement.
24 He breaks mighty men in pieces 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 away from following him , and wouldn’t pay attention to 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 ? He is over a nation or a man alike ,
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 amongst us , and multiplies his words against God."