1Then Elihu answered and said:2“Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;3for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. (Job 12:11)4Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. (1Th 5:21)5For Job has said, ‘I am in the right, and God has taken away my right; (Job 27:2; Job 33:9)6in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ (Job 33:9)7What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, (Job 15:16)8who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men? (Ps 1:1)9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’ (Job 9:22; Job 9:30; Job 21:7; Job 21:15; Job 24:1; Job 35:3; Mal 3:14)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 do wrong. (Ge 18:25; De 32:4; 2Ch 19:7; Job 36:23; Ps 92:15; Ro 9:14)11For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him. (Ps 62:12; Pr 24:12; Jer 17:10; Jer 32:19; Eze 33:20; Mt 16:27; Ro 2:6; 2Co 5:10; 1Pe 1:17; Re 22:12)12Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. (Job 8:3)13Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him[1] the whole world? (Job 38:4)14If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, (Job 2:3; Job 32:8; Ps 104:29; Ps 146:4)15all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. (Job 10:9)16“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.17Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, (Ge 18:25)18who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’ (Ex 22:28)19who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? (De 10:17; 2Ch 19:7; Job 31:15; Ac 10:34; Ro 2:11; Ga 2:6; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25; Jas 2:5; 1Pe 1:17)20In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. (Ex 11:4; Job 21:13; Job 27:20; Job 36:20; La 4:6; Da 8:25)21“For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. (Job 14:16; Job 31:4)22There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves. (Job 3:5; Ps 139:12; Am 9:2; Heb 4:13)23For God[2] has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment. (Job 14:3)24He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place. (Job 8:19; Ps 2:9)25Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed. (Pr 12:7)26He strikes them for their wickedness in a place for all to see,27because they turned aside from following him and had no regard for any of his ways, (1Sa 15:11; Ps 28:5; Isa 5:12)28so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted— (Ge 18:20; Ex 3:7; Ex 22:23; Job 35:9; Isa 32:17; Jas 5:4)29When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?—30that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.31“For has anyone said to God, ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;32teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’? (Job 35:11; Job 36:22; Ps 19:12; Ps 86:11)33Will he then make repayment to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.[3] (Job 33:32)34Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.’ (Job 35:16)36Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.” (Job 27:23)
Job 34
New International Version
from Biblica1Then Elihu said:2‘Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.3For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.4Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.5‘Job says, “I am innocent, but God denies me justice.6Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.”7Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?8He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.9For he says, “There is no profit in trying to please God.”10‘So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.11He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.12It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.13Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?14If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit[1] and breath,15all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.16‘If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.17Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?18Is he not the One who says to kings, “You are worthless,” and to nobles, “You are wicked,”19who shows no partiality to princes and does not favour the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.21‘His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.22There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.23God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before him for judgment.24Without enquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.25Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.26He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,27because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.28They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.29But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,30to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.31‘Suppose someone says to God, “I am guilty but will offend no more.32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.”33Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.34‘Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,35“Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.”36Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!37To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.’
Job 34
New International Reader’s Version
from Biblica1Elihu continued,2‘Hear what I’m saying, you wise men. Listen to me, you who have learned so much.3Our tongues tell us what tastes good and what doesn’t. And our ears tell us what’s true and what isn’t.4So let’s choose for ourselves what is right. Let’s learn together what is good.5‘Job says, “I’m not guilty of doing anything wrong. But God doesn’t treat me fairly.6Even though I’m right, he thinks I’m a liar. Even though I’m not guilty, his arrows give me wounds that can’t be healed.”7Is there anyone like Job? He accuses God as easily as he drinks water.8He’s a companion of those who do evil. He spends his time with sinful people.9He asks, “What good is it to try to please God?”10‘So listen to me, you men who have understanding. God would never do what is evil. The Mighty One would never do what is wrong.11He pays back everyone for what they’ve done. He gives them exactly what they should get.12It isn’t possible for God to do wrong. The Mighty One would never treat people unfairly.13Who appointed him to rule over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?14If he really wanted to, he could hold back his spirit and breath.15Then everyone would die together. They would return to the dust.16‘Job, if you have understanding, listen to me. Pay attention to what I’m saying.17Can someone who hates to be fair govern? Will you bring charges against the holy and mighty God?18He says to kings, “You are worthless.” He says to nobles, “You are evil.”19He doesn’t favour princes. He treats rich people and poor people the same. His hands created all of them.20They die suddenly in the middle of the night. God strikes them down, and they pass away. Even people who are mighty are removed, but not by human hands.21‘His eyes see how people live. He watches every step they take.22There is no deep shadow or total darkness where those who do what is evil can hide.23God doesn’t need to bring charges against anyone. He knows they are guilty. So he doesn’t need to let them appear in his court to be judged.24He destroys the mighty without asking them questions in court. Then he sets others up in their places.25He knows what they do. So he crushes them during the night.26He punishes them for the sins they commit. He does it where everyone can see them.27That’s because they turned away from following him. They didn’t have respect for anything he does.28They caused poor people to cry out to him. He heard the cries of those who were in need.29But if he remains silent, who can judge him? If he turns his face away, who can see him? He rules over individual people and nations alike.30He keeps those who are ungodly from ruling. He keeps them from laying traps for others.31‘Someone might say to God, “I’m guilty of sinning, but I won’t do it anymore.32Show me my sins that I’m not aware of. If I’ve done what is wrong, I won’t do it again.”33But you refuse to turn away from your sins. So God won’t treat you the way you want to be treated. You must decide, Job. I can’t do it for you. So tell me what you know.34‘You men who have understanding have spoken. You wise men who hear me have said to me,35“Job doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The things he has said don’t make any sense.”36I wish Job would be given the hardest test possible! He answered like someone who is evil.37To his sin he adds even more sin. He claps his hands and makes fun of us. He multiplies his words against God.’
Job 34
King James Version
1Furthermore Elihu answered and said,2Hear my words, O ye wise men ; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.3For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.4Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.5For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.6Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.7What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?8Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.9For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.10Therefore 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.11For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.12Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.13Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?14If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;15All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.16If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.17Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?18Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?19How 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.20In 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.21For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.23For he will not lay upon man more than right ; that he should enter into judgment with God.24He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.25Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.26He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;27Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:28So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.29When 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:30That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.31Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement , I will not offend any more :32That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.33Should 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.34Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.35Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.36My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
1Dann ergriff Elihu das Wort und sprach:2Ihr Weisen, hört meine Worte, / ihr Kundigen, leiht mir Gehör!3Denn das Ohr prüft die Worte / und der Gaumen schmeckt die Speise. (Job 12:11)4Lasst das Recht uns untersuchen, / erkennen unter uns, was gut ist!5Denn Ijob hat gesagt: Ich bin gerecht, / doch Gott hat mir mein Recht entzogen.6Meinem Recht zuwider soll ich lügen? / Unheilbar traf mich ohne Schuld der Pfeil. (Job 9:15)7Wo ist ein Mann wie Ijob, / der Lästerung wie Wasser trinkt, (Job 15:16)8der hingeht, um sich zu Übeltätern zu gesellen, / und mit den Frevlern Umgang pflegt?9Denn er hat gesagt: Es nützt dem Menschen nichts, / dass er in Freundschaft lebt mit Gott.
Gerechtes Handeln des Allmächtigen
10Darum hört mir zu, ihr Männer mit Verstand! / Fern ist es Gott, Unrecht zu tun, / und dem Allmächtigen, Frevel zu üben.11Nein, was der Mensch tut, das vergilt er ihm, / nach eines jeden Verhalten lässt er es ihn treffen. (Ps 62:13; Pr 24:12; Sir 16:14)12Nein, wahrhaftig, nie tut Gott Unrecht / und der Allmächtige beugt nicht das Recht. (Ge 18:25)13Wer hat ihm die Erde anvertraut / und wer den ganzen Erdkreis hingestellt?14Wenn er seinen Sinn auf ihn richtet, / seinen Geist und Atem zu sich holt, (Ge 2:7; Ge 3:19; Ps 104:29; Ec 3:20; Ec 12:7)15muss alles Fleisch zusammen sterben, / der Mensch zum Staub zurückkehren.16Hast du Verstand, so höre dies, / lausche dem Laut meiner Worte!17Kann, wer das Recht hasst, Herrschaft führen? / Und willst du den Gerechten, den Erhabenen verklagen, (Ro 3:5)18ihn, der zum König sagt: Du Nichtsnutz!, / zu Edelmännern: Bösewicht!, (Isa 40:23)19der nicht auf Fürsten Rücksicht nimmt, / vornehm nicht vor arm begünstigt; / denn alle sind sie seiner Hände Werk. (Sir 35:16)20Sie sterben plötzlich, mitten in der Nacht; / das Volk gerät in Aufruhr und sie müssen fort. / Starke müssen weichen, / ohne dass eine Hand sich rührt.21Denn seine Augen schauen auf des Menschen Wege, / alle seine Schritte sieht er wohl. (Jer 32:19; Heb 4:13)22Keine Finsternis gibt es, keinen Todesschatten, / wo sich die Übeltäter bergen könnten. (Ps 139:12)23Denn dem Menschen setzt er keine Frist, / zu Gott ins Gericht zu gehen.24Gewaltige knickt er ohne Verhör / und stellt andere an ihren Platz. (Da 2:21)25Wahrhaftig, er kennt ihre Taten, / er stürzt sie bei Nacht und sie werden zermalmt.26Wie Frevler schlägt er sie / an einem Ort, wo man es sieht,27weil sie von ihm wichen, / nicht achteten auf alle seine Wege.28So lässt er des Armen Geschrei zu sich kommen, / er hört das Geschrei der Gebeugten.29Hält er sich still, wer spricht ihn schuldig? / Verbirgt er sein Gesicht, wer nimmt ihn wahr? / Über Volk und Mensch wacht er zugleich, (Wis 12:2)30damit nicht ein ruchloser Mensch König wird, / dem Volk zur Falle.31Denn nicht ist es an Gott, zu sagen: / Geirrt habe ich, ich mache es nicht wieder falsch.32Was ich nicht sehe, lehre du mich! / Tat ich Unrecht, ich will es nicht mehr tun.33Soll er nach deinem Sinn vergelten, / weil du verwirfst? So musst ja du entscheiden, nicht ich, / und was du weißt, das sage an!34Verständige Männer werden zu mir sagen, / ein jeder Weise, der mich hört:35Ohne Wissen redet Ijob, / seinen Worten fehlt es an Verständnis.36Wohlan, weiter werde Ijob geprüft, / weil er nach der Frevler Art erwidert. (Job 33:14)37Denn Auflehnung fügt er seiner Sünde noch hinzu, / in unserer Mitte höhnt er laut, / mehrt seine Worte gegen Gott.