Job 34

1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,⋮

2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.⋮

3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.⋮

4 Let us choose to us judgment: 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, 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, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.⋮

13 Who hath given 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 he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?⋮

18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?⋮

19 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.⋮

20 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.⋮

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of 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 will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.⋮

24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.⋮

25 Therefore he knoweth 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 back from him, and would not consider any 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 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:⋮

30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.⋮

31 Surely it is meet to be 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 no more.⋮

33 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.⋮

34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.⋮

35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.⋮

36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.⋮

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