< Job 34

[1] Furthermore Elihu answered and said,

[2] Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

[3] For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

[4] Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

[5] For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.

[6] Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.

[7] What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

[8] Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

[9] For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

[10] Therefore 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.

[11] For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

[12] Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

[13] Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?

[14] If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

[15] All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

[16] If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

[17] Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

[18] Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

[19] How 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.

[20] In 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.

[21] For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

[22] There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

[23] For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.

[24] He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

[25] Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

[26] He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

[27] Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any 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 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:

[30] That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

[31] Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:

[32] That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

[33] Should 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.

[34] Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

[35] Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

[36] My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.

[37] For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.