| Chapter 34 |
1 | Furthermore Elihu answered and said, |
2 | Hear my words, O ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. |
3 | For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. |
4 | Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what [is] good. |
5 | For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. |
6 | Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression. |
7 | What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up scorning like water? |
8 | Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. |
9 | For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. |
10 | Therefore 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. |
11 | For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways. |
12 | Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. |
13 | Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? |
14 | If he set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; |
15 | All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. |
16 | If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words. |
17 | Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? |
18 | [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly? |
19 | [How 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. |
20 | In 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. |
21 | For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. |
22 | [There is] no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. |
23 | For he will not lay upon man more [than right]; that he should enter into judgment with God. |
24 | He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. |
25 | Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed. |
26 | He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; |
27 | Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: |
28 | So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted. |
29 | When 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: |
30 | That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. |
31 | Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]: |
32 | [That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. |
33 | [Should 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. |
34 | Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me. |
35 | Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom. |
36 | My desire [is that] Job may be tried unto the end because of [his] answers for wicked men. |
37 | For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God. |