1 Elihu further answered and said:

2 “Hear my words, you wise men;
Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3 ^aFor the ear tests words
As the palate tastes food. ‡

4 Let us choose justice for ourselves;
Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 “For Job has said, ^a‘I am righteous,
But ^bGod has taken away my justice; ‡

6 ^aShould I lie concerning my¹ right?
My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ ‡

7 What man is like Job,
^aWho drinks¹ scorn like water, ‡

8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity,
And walks with wicked men?

9 For ^ahe has said, ‘It profits a man nothing
That he should delight in God.’ ‡

10 “Therefore listen to me, you¹ men of understanding:
^aFar be it from God to do wickedness,
And from the Almighty to commit iniquity. ‡

11 ^aFor He repays man according to his work,
And makes man to find a reward according to his way. ‡

12 Surely God will never do wickedly,
Nor will the Almighty ^apervert justice. ‡