The Book of Job

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- Chapter 34 -

Elihu proclaims God's righteousness

Moreouer Elihu answered, and saide,

Heare my wordes, ye wise men, and hearken vnto me, ye that haue knowledge.

For the eare tryeth the words, as the mouth tasteth meate.

Let vs seeke iudgement among vs, and let vs knowe among our selues what is good.

For Iob hath saide, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my iudgement.

Should I lye in my right? my wound of the arrowe is grieuous without my sinne.

What man is like Iob, that drinketh scornfulnesse like water?

Which goeth in the companie of them that worke iniquitie, and walketh with wicked men?

For he hath saide, It profiteth a man nothing that he should walke with God.

Therefore hearken vnto me, ye men of wisedome, God forbid that wickednesse should be in God, and iniquitie in the Almightie.

For he will render vnto man according to his worke, and cause euery one to finde according to his way.

And certainely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almightie peruert iudgement.

Whome hath he appointed ouer the earth beside him selfe? or who hath placed the whole worlde?

If he set his heart vpon man, and gather vnto him selfe his spirit and his breath,

All flesh shall perish together, and man shall returne vnto dust.

And if thou hast vnderstanding, heare this and hearken to the voyce of my wordes.

Shal he that hateth iudgement, gouerne? and wilt thou iudge him wicked that is most iust?

Wilt thou say vnto a King, Thou art wicked? or to princes, Ye are vngodly?

How much lesse to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, and regardeth not the rich, more then the poore? for they be all the worke of his handes.

They shall die suddenly, and the people shalbe troubled at midnight, and they shall passe foorth and take away the mightie without hand.

For his eyes are vpon the wayes of man, and he seeth all his goings.

There is no darkenesse nor shadowe of death, that the workers of iniquitie might be hid therein.

For he will not lay on man so much, that he should enter into iudgement with God.

He shall breake the mightie without seeking, and shall set vp other in their stead.

Therefore shall he declare their works: he shall turne the night, and they shalbe destroyed.

He striketh them as wicked men in the places of the seers,

Because they haue turned backe from him, and would not consider all his wayes:

So that they haue caused the voyce of the poore to come vnto him, and he hath heard the cry of the afflicted.

And when he giueth quietnesse, who can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who can beholde him, whether it be vpon nations, or vpon a man onely?

Because the hypocrite doeth reigne, and because the people are snared.

Surely it appertaineth vnto God to say, I haue pardoned, I will not destroy.

But if I see not, teach thou me: if I haue done wickedly, I will doe no more.

Wil he performe the thing through thee? for thou hast reproued it, because that thou hast chosen, and not I. now speake what thou knowest.

Let men of vnderstanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken vnto me.

Iob hath not spoken of knowledge, neyther were his wordes according to wisedome.

I desire that Iob may be tryed, vnto the ende touching the answeres for wicked men.

For he addeth rebellion vnto his sinne: he clappeth his handes among vs, and multiplieth his wordes against God.

Elihu proclaims God's righteousness

Moreover Elihu answered,

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

For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.

Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’

What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,

who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?

For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’

“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?

If he set his heart on himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,

who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?

He doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands.

In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.

“For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.

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

He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,

so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.

When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike,

that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

“For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’

I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

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