| Chapter 34 |
1 | Moreover Elihu answered and said, |
2 | Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. |
3 | For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food. |
4 | Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good! |
5 | For Job hath said, I am righteous, and łGod hath taken away my judgment: |
6 | Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression. |
7 | What man is like Job? he drinketh up scorning like water, |
8 | And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. |
9 | For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself in God. |
10 | Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from łGod, and wrong from the Almighty! |
11 | For a man's work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his] way. |
12 | Yea, surely, łGod acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment. |
13 | Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world? |
14 | If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath, |
15 | All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust. |
16 | If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words! |
17 | Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just? |
18 | Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked? |
19 | [How then to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich man more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands. |
20 | In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the strong are taken away without hand. |
21 | For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps. |
22 | There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. |
23 | For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before łGod in judgment. |
24 | He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead; |
25 | Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed. |
26 | He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others, |
27 | Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways; |
28 | So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted. |
29 | When he giveth quietness, who then will disturb? and when he hideth [his] face, who shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike; |
30 | That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared. |
31 | For hath he said unto łGod, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend; |
32 | What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more? |
33 | Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused [his judgment]; for thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest. |
34 | Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me: |
35 | Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence. |
36 | Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of evil men! |
37 | For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against łGod. |