THE BOOK OF JOB

 

Job Chapter 34

1 ¶ Elihu continued saying,

2 Hear my words, O you wise men; and give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3 For the ear tests words, as the mouth tastes food.

4 Let us choose what is right: and decide among us what is good.

5 For Job has said, I am righteous: and God has treated me unjustly.

6 Would I lie about my righteousness, Yet I am regarded as a liar? my wound is incurable though I have not done anything wrong.

7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scorn like water?

8 Who travels in the company of those who do evil, and walks with wicked men.

9 For he says, Man does not gain anything if he delights himself with God.

10 ¶ Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit sin.

11 For he repays a man according to his deeds, and will give a man what he deserves.

12 Yes, it is certain that God will not do what is wicked, nor will the Almighty pervert judgment.

13 Who has put him in charge over the earth? or who has put the world in his care?

14 If he thought only of himself, if he withdrew his spirit and his breath;

15 Every living thing would die, and man would return to dust.

16 ¶ If now you understand, hear this: listen to what I say.

17 Can anyone who hates what is right govern? and will you condemn the one who is most holy?

18 Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?

19 How much less to him who shows no special favors to princes, and does not prefer the rich to the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night they shake and then pass away: even the mighty are be taken away without a hand raised against them.

21 For his eyes are on the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, or thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 God will not lay upon a man more than is right; that he should enter into judgment with God.

24 He destroys the mighty without a trial, and puts others in their place.

25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

26 God strikes them down as wicked men in the open sight of others;

27 Because they turned away from him, and would not consider any of his ways:

28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted.

29 When he gives peace, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can see him? yet he watches over both individuals and nations:

30 So that godless men should not rule, lest the people be ensnared.

31 ¶ If such a person will say to God, I was deceived, I will no longer act wickedly:

32 Teach me that I may see: if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.

33 Is it your judgement that God should punish him, since you object? You must do the choosing; not I: therefore say what you know.

34 Men of understanding, and wise men who hear me, will say to me.

35 Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

36 I wish Job was tested to the limit, for his answers are the answers of wicked men.

37 For he adds rebellion to his sin, he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.