Job 34:1-33 - Compare All Versions

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Then Elihu said: “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning. For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice. Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’ Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water? He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked. For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’ “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves. It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One? Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide. God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment. Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways. They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy. But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike, to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people. “Suppose someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’ Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.

Then Elihu answered and said: “Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know; for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job has said, ‘I am in the right, and God has taken away my right; in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’ “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong. For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him. Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world? If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’ who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. “For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves. For God has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment. He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place. Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed. He strikes them for their wickedness in a place for all to see, because they turned aside from following him and had no regard for any of his ways, so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted— When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?— that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people. “For has anyone said to God, ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more; teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’? Will he then make repayment to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.

Then Elihu said: “Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge. Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’ So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. For Job also said, ‘I am innocent, but God has taken away my rights. I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’ “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk? He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men. He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’ “Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin! The Almighty can do no wrong. He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve. Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice. Did someone else put the world in his care? Who set the whole world in place? If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust. “Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say. Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge? For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’ He doesn’t care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all. In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes. We don’t set the time when we will come before God in judgment. He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he sets up others in their place. He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them. He strikes them down because they are wicked, doing it openly for all to see. For they turned away from following him. They have no respect for any of his ways. They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy. But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation. He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people. “Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’? Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’? “Must God tailor his justice to your demands? But you have rejected him! The choice is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.

Then Elihu continued,  saying: Hear my words, you wise ones, and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones. Doesn’t the ear test words as the palate tastes food? Let us judge for ourselves what is right; let us decide together what is good. For Job has declared, “I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.  Would I lie about my case?  My wound  is incurable, though I am without transgression.” What man is like Job? He drinks derision  like water. He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. For he has said, “A man gains nothing when he becomes God’s friend.”  Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. It is impossible for God to do wrong, and for the Almighty to act unjustly.  For he repays  a person according to his deeds, and he gives him what his conduct deserves.  Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.  Who gave him authority over the earth? Who put him in charge of the entire world?  If he put his mind to it and withdrew the spirit  and breath he gave, every living thing would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.  If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I have to say. Could one who hates justice govern the world? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,  who says to a king, “Worthless man! ” and to nobles, “Wicked men! ”?  God is not partial  to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands. They die suddenly in the middle of the night; people shudder, then pass away. Even the mighty are removed without effort. For his eyes watch over a man’s ways, and he observes all his steps.  There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide.  God does not need to examine a person further, that one should  approach him in court. He shatters the mighty without an investigation and sets others in their place.  Therefore, he recognizes their deeds  and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed. In full view of the public,  he strikes them for their wickedness, because they turned aside from following him and did not understand any of his ways but caused the poor to cry out to him, and he heard the outcry of the needy.  But when God is silent, who can declare him guilty? When he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he watches over both individuals and nations, so that godless men should not rule or ensnare the people. Suppose someone says to God, “I have endured my punishment; I will no longer act wickedly. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.” Should God repay you on your terms when you have rejected his? You must choose, not I! So declare what you know.

Furthermore Elihu answered and said, Hear my words, O ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, As the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: Let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: And God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scorning like water? Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men. For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God. 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. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways. Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. Who hath given him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world? If he set his heart upon man, If he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust. If now thou hast understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words. Shall even he that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is most just? Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? 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. 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. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, And he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For he will not lay upon man more than right; That he should enter into judgment with God. He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, And set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others; Because they turned back from him, And would not consider any of his ways: So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heareth the cry of the afflicted. 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: That the hypocrite reign not, Lest the people be ensnared. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do no more. 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.

Elihu further answered and said: “Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food. Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what is good. “For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, But God has taken away my justice; Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ 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 in God.’ “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity. For He repays man according to his work, And makes man to find a reward according to his way. Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world? If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. “If you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words: Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just? Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’? Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands. In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; The people are shaken and pass away; The mighty are taken away without a hand. “For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps. There is no darkness nor shadow of death Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For He need not further consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment. He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. Therefore He knows their works; He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed. He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others, Because they turned back from Him, And would not consider any of His ways, So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him; For He hears the cry of the afflicted. When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him, Whether it is against a nation or a man alone?— That the hypocrite should not reign, Lest the people be ensnared. “For has anyone said to God, ‘I have borne chastening; I will offend no more; Teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’? Should He repay it according to your terms, Just because you disavow it? You must choose, and not I; Therefore speak what you know.

Elihu continued: “So, my fine friends—listen to me, and see what you think of this. Isn’t it just common sense— as common as the sense of taste— To put our heads together and figure out what’s going on here? “We’ve all heard Job say, ‘I’m in the right, but God won’t give me a fair trial. When I defend myself, I’m called a liar to my face. I’ve done nothing wrong, and I get punished anyway.’ Have you ever heard anything to beat this? Does nothing faze this man Job? Do you think he’s spent too much time in bad company, hanging out with the wrong crowd, So that now he’s parroting their line: ‘It doesn’t pay to try to please God’? “You’re veterans in dealing with these matters; certainly we’re of one mind on this. It’s impossible for God to do anything evil; no way can the Mighty One do wrong. He makes us pay for exactly what we’ve done—no more, no less. Our chickens always come home to roost. It’s impossible for God to do anything wicked, for the Mighty One to subvert justice. He’s the one who runs the earth! He cradles the whole world in his hand! If he decided to hold his breath, every man, woman, and child would die for lack of air. “So, Job, use your head; this is all pretty obvious. Can someone who hates order, keep order? Do you dare condemn the righteous, mighty God? Doesn’t God always tell it like it is, exposing corrupt rulers as scoundrels and criminals? Does he play favorites with the rich and famous and slight the poor? Isn’t he equally responsible to everybody? Don’t people who deserve it die without notice? Don’t wicked rulers tumble to their doom? When the so-called great ones are wiped out, we know God is working behind the scenes. “He has his eyes on every man and woman. He doesn’t miss a trick. There is no night dark enough, no shadow deep enough, to hide those who do evil. God doesn’t need to gather any more evidence; their sin is an open-and-shut case. He deposes the so-called high and mighty without asking questions, and replaces them at once with others. Nobody gets by with anything; overnight, judgment is signed, sealed, and delivered. He punishes the wicked for their wickedness out in the open where everyone can see it, Because they quit following him, no longer even thought about him or his ways. Their apostasy was announced by the cry of the poor; the cry of the afflicted got God’s attention. “If God is silent, what’s that to you? If he turns his face away, what can you do about it? But whether silent or hidden, he’s there, ruling, so that those who hate God won’t take over and ruin people’s lives. “So why don’t you simply confess to God? Say, ‘I sinned, but I’ll sin no more. Teach me to see what I still don’t see. Whatever evil I’ve done, I’ll do it no more.’ Just because you refuse to live on God’s terms, do you think he should start living on yours? You choose. I can’t do it for you. Tell me what you decide.

Then Elihu continued and said, “Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who understand. “For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food. “Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us understand among ourselves what is good. “For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, But God has taken away my right; Should I lie about my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without wrongdoing.’ “What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water, Who goes in company with the workers of injustice, And walks with wicked people? “For he has said, ‘It is of no use to a man When he becomes friends with God.’ ¶“Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, And from the Almighty to do wrong. “For He repays a person for his work, And lets things happen in correspondence to a man’s behavior. “God certainly will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice. “Who gave Him authority over the earth? And who has placed the whole world on Him? “If He were to determine to do so, If He were to gather His spirit and His breath to Himself, Humanity would perish together, And mankind would return to dust. ¶“But if you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words. “Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One, Who says to a king, ‘You worthless one,’ To nobles, ‘You wicked one’; Who shows no partiality to the prominent, Nor regards the rich as above the poor, Since they are all the work of His hands? “In a moment they die, and at midnight People are shaken and pass away, And the powerful are taken away without a hand. ¶“For His eyes are upon the ways of a person, And He sees all his steps. “There is no darkness or deep shadow Where the workers of injustice can hide themselves. “For He does not need to consider a person further, That he should go before God in judgment. “He breaks in pieces the mighty without investigation, And sets others in their place. “Therefore He knows their deeds, And He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed. “He strikes them like the wicked In a public place, Because they turned aside from following Him, And had no regard for any of His ways, So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, And that He would hear the cry of the afflicted— When He keeps quiet, who can condemn? And when He hides His face, who then can look at Him, That is, regarding both nation and a person?— “So that godless people would not rule, Nor be snares for the people. ¶“For has anyone said to God, ‘I have endured punishment; I will not offend anymore; Teach me what I do not see; If I have done wrong, I will not do it again’? “Shall God repay on your terms, because you have rejected His? For you must choose, and not I; Therefore declare what you know.

Elihu continued his discourse and said, “Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who have [so much] knowledge. “For the ear puts words to the test As the palate tastes food. “Let us choose for ourselves that which is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good. “For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent], But God has taken away my right; [Job 33:9] Although I am right, I am accounted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ “What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water, Who goes in company with those who do evil And walks with wicked men? “For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he takes delight and is pleased with God and obeys Him.’ ¶“Therefore hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He would do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong. “For God pays a man according to his work, And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way. “Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. “Who put God in charge over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole world? “If God should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. [Ps 104:29; Eccl 12:7] ¶“If you now have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words. “Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern? And will you condemn Him who is just and mighty? “God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’ Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’? “Who is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich above 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, And the powerful are taken away without a [human] hand. ¶“For God’s eyes are on the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps. [Ps 34:15; Prov 5:21; Jer 16:17] “There is no darkness nor deep shadow Where the evildoers may hide themselves. “For He sets no appointed time for a man, That he should appear before Him in judgment. “He breaks mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. [Dan 2:21] “Therefore He knows of their works, And He overthrows them in the night, So that they are crushed and destroyed. “He strikes them like the wicked In a public place, Because they turned aside from following Him And would not consider or show regard for any of His ways, [1 Sam 15:11] So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, And He heard the cry of the afflicted. [Ex 22:23; James 5:4] “When He keeps quiet, who then can condemn? When He hides His face [withdrawing His favor and help], who then can behold Him [and make supplication to Him], Whether it be a nation or a man by himself?— “So that godless men would not rule Nor be snares for the people. ¶“For has anyone said to God, ‘I have endured my chastisement; I will not offend anymore; Teach me what I do not see [in regard to how I have sinned]; If I have done wrong (injustice, unrighteousness), I will not do it again’? “Shall God’s retribution [for your sins] be on your terms, because you refuse to accept it? For you must do the choosing, and not I; Therefore say what you [truthfully] know.

Elihu answered: “Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men. For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food. Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good. For Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God turns away my right. Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.’ What man is like Job, who drinks derision like water! He goes about in company with evildoers, he goes along with wicked men. For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’ “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil. For he repays a person for his work, and according to the conduct of a person, he causes the consequences to find him. Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world? If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together and human beings would return to dust. “If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say. Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One, who says to a king, ‘Worthless man’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked men,’ who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands? In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly. For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person’s steps. There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves. For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment. He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place. Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see, because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways, so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy. But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike, so that the godless man should not rule, and not lay snares for the people. “Has anyone said to God, ‘I have endured chastisement, but I will not act wrongly any more. Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done evil, I will do so no more.’ Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know.