Verse 1
Moreover Elihu answered,
Verse 2
"Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
Verse 3
For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
Verse 4
Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
Verse 5
For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
Verse 6
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'
Verse 7
What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
Verse 8
Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
Verse 9
For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'
Verse 10
"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.
Verse 11
For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
Verse 12
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
Verse 13
Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?
Verse 14
If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
Verse 15
all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
Verse 16
"If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
Verse 17
Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--
Verse 18
Who says to a king, 'Vile!' or to nobles, 'Wicked!'?
Verse 19
Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor respects the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands.
Verse 20
In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
Verse 21
"For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
Verse 22
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
Verse 23
For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
Verse 24
He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
Verse 25
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
Verse 26
He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
Verse 27
because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,
Verse 28
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
Verse 29
When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,
Verse 30
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
Verse 31
"For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
Verse 32
Teach me that which I don't see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
Verse 33
Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
Verse 34
Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
Verse 35
'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.'
Verse 36
I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
Verse 37
For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."