JOB 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 meat.⋮

4 Let us choose for us that which is right: let us know among ourselves what is good.⋮

5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right:⋮

6 Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am 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, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.⋮

13 Who gave 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 one that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is just and mighty?⋮

18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art vile? or to nobles, Ye are wicked?⋮

19 How much less to him that respecteth 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 they die, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away without hand.⋮

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of a 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 needeth not further to consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment.⋮

24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and setteth others in their stead.⋮

25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of 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 aside from following him, and would not have regard to any of his ways:⋮

28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted.⋮

29 When 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:⋮

30 That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.⋮

31 For hath any 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 it no more?⋮

33 Shall his recompence be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? for thou must choose, and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.⋮

34 Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:⋮

35 Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom.⋮

36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men.⋮

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