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