【Job】Chapter 34 << Last Chapter Next Chapter >>

34:1 Then Elihu continued and said:

34:2 Hear, O wise men, my discourse, and you that have knowledge, hear me!

34:3 For the ear tests words, as the taste does food.

34:4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn between us what is good.

34:5 For Job has said, "I am innocent, but God has taken what is my due.

34:6 Notwithstanding my right I am set at nought; in my wound the arrow rankles, sinless though I am."

34:7 What man is like Job? He drinks in blasphemies like water,

34:8 Keeps company with evildoers and goes along with wicked men,

34:9 When he says, "It profits a man nought that he is pleasing to God."

34:10 Therefore, men of understanding, hearken to me: far be it from God to do wickedness; far from the Almighty to do wrong!

34:11 Rather, he requites men for their conduct, and brings home to a man his way of life.

34:12 Surely, God cannot act wickedly, the Almighty cannot violate justice.

34:13 Who gave him government over the earth, or who else set all the land in its place?

34:14 If he were to take back his spirit to himself, withdraw to himself his breath,

34:15 All flesh would perish together, and man would return to the dust.

34:16 Now, do you, O Job, hear this! Hearken to the words I speak!

34:17 Can an enemy of justice indeed be in control, or will you condemn the supreme Just One,

34:18 Who says to a king, "You are worthless!" and to nobles, "You are wicked!"

34:19 Who neither favors the person of princes, nor respects the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of his hands;

34:20 in a moment they die, even at midnight. He brings on nobles, and takes them away, removing the powerful without lifting a hand;

34:21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he beholds all his steps.

34:22 There is no darkness so dense that evildoers can hide in it.

34:23 For he forewarns no man of his time to come before God in judgment.

34:24 Without a trial he breaks the mighty, and sets others in their stead,

34:25 Therefore he discerns their works; he turns at night and crushes them.

34:26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,

34:27 Because they turned away from him and heeded none of his ways,

34:28 But caused the cries of the poor to reach him, so that he heard the plea of the afflicted.

34:29 If he remains tranquil, who then can condemn? If he hides his face, who then can behold him?

34:30 to keep a godless man from ruling, from laying snares for the people.

34:31 When anyone says to God, "I was misguided; I will offend no more.

34:32 Teach me wherein I have sinned; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more,"

34:33 Would you then say that God must punish, since you reject what he is doing? It is you who must choose, not I; speak, therefore, what you know.

34:34 Men of understanding will say to me, every wise man who hears my views:

34:35 "Job speaks without intelligence, and his words are without sense."

34:36 Let Job be tried to the limit, since his answers are those of the impious;

34:37 For he is adding rebellion to his sin by brushing off our arguments and addressing many words to God.

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