1Then 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
English Standard Version
Elihu Asserts God’s Justice
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)