34:1 ELIHU ANSWERED (continued his discourse) and said, |
34:2 Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who have [so much] knowledge. |
34:3 For the ear tries words as the palate tastes food. |
34:4 Let us choose for ourselves that which is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. |
34:5 For Job has said, I am [innocent and uncompromisingly] righteous, but God has taken away my right; |
34:6 Would I lie against my right? Yet, notwithstanding my right, I am counted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression. |
34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing {and} scorning 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 {and} consent to Him. |
34:10 Therefore hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that He should commit iniquity. |
34:11 For according to the deeds of a man God will [exactly] proportion his pay, and He will cause every man to find [recompense] according to his ways. |
34:12 Truly God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. |
34:13 Who put [God] in charge over the earth? Or who laid on Him the whole world? |
34:14 If [God] should set His heart upon him [man] and withdraw His [life-giving] spirit and His breath [from man] to Himself, |
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 my words. |
34:17 Is it possible that an enemy of right should govern? And will you condemn Him Who is just {and} mighty? |
34:18 [God] Who says to a king, You are worthless {and} vile, or to princes {and} nobles, You are ungodly {and} evil? |
34:19 [God] is not partial to princes, nor does He regard 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, and the mighty are taken away by no [human] hand. |
34:21 For [God's] eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps. |
34:22 There is no darkness nor thick gloom where the evildoers may hide themselves. |
34:23 [God] sets before man no appointed time, that he should appear before [Him] in judgment. |
34:24 He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry [before a jury] {and} in ways past finding out and sets others in their stead. |
34:25 Therefore He takes knowledge of their works, and He overturns them in the night, so that they are crushed {and} destroyed. |
34:26 God strikes them down as wicked men in the open sight of beholders, |
34:27 Because they turned aside from Him and would not consider {or} show regard for any of His ways, |
34:28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, and He heard the cry of the afflicted. |
34:29 When He gives quietness (peace and security from oppression), who then can condemn? When He hides His face [withdrawing His favor and help], who then can behold Him [and make Him gracious], whether it be a nation or a man by himself?-- |
34:30 That the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people. |
34:31 For has anyone said to God, I have borne my chastisement; I will not offend any more; |
34:32 Teach me what I do not see [in regard to how I have sinned]; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more? |
34:33 Should [God's] recompense [for your sins] be as you will it, when you refuse to accept it? For you must do the choosing, and not I; therefore say what is your truthful conclusion. |
34:34 Men of understanding will tell me, indeed, every wise man who hears me [will agree], |
34:35 That Job speaks without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom {and} insight. |
34:36 [Would that Job's afflictions be continued and] he be tried to the end because of his answering like wicked men! |
34:37 For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his unacknowledged sin; he claps his hands [in open mockery and contempt of God] among us, and he multiplies his words of accusation against God. |