Job

The book of Job, chapter 34, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 34 New English Translation

Elihu's Second Speech

   1 Elihu answered:
   2 "Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men.
   3 For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food.
   4 Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good.
   5 For Job says, 'I am innocent, but God turns away my right.
   6 Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.'
   7 What man is like Job, who drinks derision like water!
   8 He goes about in company with evildoers, he goes along with wicked men.
   9 For he says, 'It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.'

God is Not Unjust

   10 "Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil.
   11 For he repays a person for his work, and according to the conduct of a person, he causes the consequences to find him.
   12 Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
   13 Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world?
   14 If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath,
   15 all flesh would perish together and human beings would return to dust.

God Is Impartial and Omniscient

   16 "If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say.
   17 Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One,
   18 who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,'
   19 who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands?
   20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly.
   21 For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person's steps.
   22 There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves.
   23 For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment.
   24 He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place.
   25 Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
   26 He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see,
   27 because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways,
   28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy.
   29 But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike,
   30 so that the godless man should not rule, and not lay snares for the people.

Job Is Foolish to Rebel

   31 "Has anyone said to God, 'I have endured chastisement, but I will not act wrongly any more.
   32 Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done evil, I will do so no more.'
   33 Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know.
   34 Men of understanding say to me - any wise man listening to me says -
   35 that Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without understanding.
   36 But Job will be tested to the end, because his answers are like those of wicked men.
   37 For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands, and multiplies his words against God."

King James Version

   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.