Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice (34)

CHAPTER 34

1 Moreover Elihu answered and said, 2 Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. 3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food. 4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; 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? he drinketh up scorning like water, 8 And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. 9 For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself in God. 10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from GOD, and wrong from the Almighty! 11 For a man’s work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to his way. 12 Yea, surely, GOD acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment. 13 Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world? 14 If he only thought of himself, and gathered unto him his spirit and his breath, 15 All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust. 16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words! 17 Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just? 18 Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked? 19 How then to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich man more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands. 20 In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the strong are taken away without hand. 21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps. 22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. 23 For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before GOD in judgment. 24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead; 25 Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth them in the night, and they are crushed. 26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others, 27 Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none 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 will disturb? and when he hideth his face, who shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike; 30 That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared. 31 For hath he said unto GOD, I bear chastisement, I will not offend; 32 What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more? 33 Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused his judgment; for thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest. 34 Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me: 35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence. 36 Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of his answers after the manner of evil men! 37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against GOD.

Elihu Condemns Job’s Reasoning (35)

CHAPTER 35

1 Moreover Elihu answered and said, 2 Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than GOD’s? 3 For thou hast asked of what profit it is unto thee: what do I gain more than if I had sinned? 4 I will reply to thee in words, and to thy companions with thee. 5 Look unto the heavens and see; and survey the skies: they are higher than thou. 6 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? If thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? 7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou to him? or what doth he receive of thy hand? 8 Thy wickedness may affect a man as thou art, and thy righteousness a son of man. 9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry; they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty: 10 But none saith, Where is +God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night, 11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowl of the heavens? 12 There they cry, and he answereth not, because of the pride of evil men. 13 Surely GOD will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. 14 Although thou sayest thou dost not see him, judgment is before him, therefore wait for him. 15 But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, doth not Job know his great arrogancy? 16 For Job hath opened his mouth in vanity, and made words abundant without knowledge.

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