Job 34
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
Berean Standard Bible
1Moreover Elihu answered and said:
1Then Elihu continued:
2Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
2“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
3For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4Let us choose for us that which is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5For Job hath said: 'I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right;
5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
7What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing that he should be in accord with God.'
9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
10Therefore 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.
10Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
11For the work of a man will He requite unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13Who gave Him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?
13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14If He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath;
14If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust.
15all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16If now thou hast understanding, hear this; hearken to the voice of my words.
16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17Shall even one that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty —
17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'? —
18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19That respecteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they all are the work of His hands.
19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
20In a moment they die, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away without hand.
20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
21For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He seeth all his goings.
21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
22There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23For He doth not appoint a time unto any man, when he should go before God in judgment.
23For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquisition, and setteth others in their stead.
24He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25Therefore He taketh knowledge of their works; and He overturneth them in the night, so that they are crushed.
25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
26He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27Because they turned aside from following Him, and would not have regard to any of His ways;
27because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted.
28They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29When He giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when He hideth His face, who then can behold Him? whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man, alike;
29But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,
30That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.
30that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31For hath any said unto God: 'I have borne chastisement, though I offend not;
31Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32That which I see not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33Shall His recompense be as thou wilt? For thou loathest it, so that thou must choose, and not I; therefore speak what thou knowest.
33Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
34Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:
34Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35'Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without discernment.'
35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
36If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
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