RSV Job 34 Chapter
34:1
Then Eli'hu said:
34:2
'Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;
34:3
for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
34:4
Let us choose what is right;let us determine among ourselves what is good.
34:5
For Job has said, I am innocent, and God has taken away my right;
34:6
in spite of my right I am counted a liar;my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
34:7
What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,
34:8
who goes in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?
34:9
For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.'
34:10
'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.
34:11
For according to the work of a man he will requite him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
34:12
Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
34:13
Who gave him charge over the earth and who laid on him the whole world?
34:14
If he should take back his spirit to himself, and gather to himself his breath,
34:15
all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
34:16
'If you have understanding, hear this;listen to what I say.
34:17
Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
34:18
who says to a king, Worthless one,' and to nobles, Wicked man';
34:19
who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
34:20
In a moment they die;at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
34:21
'For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
34:22
There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.
34:23
For he has not appointed a time for any man to go before God in judgment.
34:24
He shatters the mighty without investigation, and sets others in their place.
34:25
Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
34:26
He strikes them for their wickedness in the sight of men,
34:27
because they turned aside from following him, and had no regard for any of his ways,
34:28
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted --
34:29
When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man? --
34:30
that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.
34:31
'For has any one said to God, I have borne chastisement;I will not offend any more;
34:32
teach me what I do not see;if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
34:33
Will he then make requital to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I;therefore declare what you know.
34:34
Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:
34:35
Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without insight.'
34:36
Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.
34:37
For he adds rebellion to his sin;he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.'