Job, 34

1. Elihu continued his speech. He said:

1. Then Eli'hu said:

2. And now, you sages, listen to what I say, lend me your ears, you learned men.

2. "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;

3. The ear distinguishes the value of what is said, just as the palate can tell one food from another.

3. for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.

4. Let us consider together God's ruling and decide what we all mean by good.

4. Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.

5. Job has been saying, 'I am upright and God denies me fair judgement.

5. For Job has said, `I am innocent, and God has taken away my right;

6. My judge is treating me cruelly, my wound is incurable, for no fault of mine.'

6. in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'

7. Can anyone else exist like Job, who laps up mockery like water,

7. What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,

8. who consorts with evil-doers and marches in step with the wicked?

8. who goes in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?

9. Did he not say, 'No one derives any benefit from enjoying the society of God'?

9. For he has said, `It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.'

10. Listen to me then, like intelligent people. Far be evil from God or injustice from Shaddai!

10. "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.

11. For he pays people back for what they do, treating each as his own conduct deserves.

11. For according to the work of a man he will requite him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.

12. Be sure of it: God never does wrong, Shaddai does not pervert what is just.

12. Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.

13. Did someone else entrust the world to his care was he given charge of the universe by someone else?

13. Who gave him charge over the earth and who laid on him the whole world?

14. If he were to recall his spirit, to concentrate his breath back in himself,

14. If he should take back his spirit to himself, and gather to himself his breath,

15. all flesh would instantly perish and all people would return to dust.

15. all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

16. If you have any intelligence, listen to this, lend your ear to the sound of my words.

16. "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

17. Could an enemy of fair judgement ever govern? Would you dare condemn the Upright One, the Almighty,

17. Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,

18. who says to a king, 'You are a scoundrel!' and to nobles, 'You are wicked!',

18. who says to a king, `Worthless one,' and to nobles, `Wicked man';

19. who is unimpressed by princes and makes no distinction between rich and poor, since all alike have been made by him?

19. who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

20. They die suddenly, at dead of night, they perish -- these great ones -- and disappear: it costs him no effort to remove a tyrant.

20. In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.

21. For his eyes keep watch on human ways, and he observes every step.

21. "For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.

22. No darkness, no shadow dark as death where wrong-doers can hide!

22. There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.

23. He serves no writ on anyone, no summons to appear before God's court:

23. For he has not appointed a time for any man to go before God in judgment.

24. he breaks the powerful without enquiry and sets up others in their places.

24. He shatters the mighty without investigation, and sets others in their place.

25. He knows the sort of things they do! He overthrows them at night, to be trampled on.

25. Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.

26. He beats them like criminals chained up for all to see,

26. He strikes them for their wickedness in the sight of men,

27. since they have turned their backs on him, having understood so little of his ways

27. because they turned aside from following him, and had no regard for any of his ways,

28. as to make the cries of the weak rise to him and let him hear the appeal of the afflicted.

28. so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted --

29. But if he is still silent and no one can move him, if he veils his face, so that no one can see him, he is taking pity on nations and individuals,

29. When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man? --

30. is setting some wrong-doer free from the meshes of affliction.

30. that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.

31. When such a one says to God, 'I was misled, I shall not do wrong any more;

31. "For has any one said to God, `I have borne chastisement; I will not offend any more;

32. although I have sinned, instruct me; although I did wrong, I will not do it again,'

32. teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

33. in your opinion, should he punish such a one -- you who have rejected his decisions? This is for you to decide -- not for me!- so kindly enlighten us!

33. Will he then make requital to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.

34. Ordinary sensible people, however, will say to me, and so will any sage who has been listening to me,

34. Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:

35. 'Job's words are spoken without any knowledge, what he says shows no intelligence.

35. `Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without insight.'

36. Kindly examine him thoroughly, since his answers imply that he is a criminal.

36. Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.

37. For to his sin he now adds rebellion, bringing law to an end among us and heaping abuse on God.'

37. For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."