[1] Then Eli'hu said: [2] "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me,
you who know; [3] for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. [4]
Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.
[5] For Job has said, `r Job has said, "I am innocent, and God has taken
away my right; [6] in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is
incurable, though I am without transgression.' [7] What man is like Job,
who drinks up scoffing like water, [8] who goes in company with evildoers
and walks with wicked men? [9] For he has said, `r he has said, "It profits
a man nothing that he should take delight in God.' [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
according to the work of a man he will requite him, and according to his
ways he will make it befall him. [12] Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,
and the Almighty will not pervert justice. [13] Who gave him charge over
the earth and who laid on him the whole world? [14] If he should take back
his spirit to himself, and gather to himself his breath, [15] all flesh
would perish together, and man would return to dust. [16] "If you have
understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. [17] Shall one who hates
justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, [18] who
says to a king, `o says to a king, "Worthless one,' and to nobles, `d to
nobles, "Wicked man'; [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]
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 are upon the
ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. [22] There is no gloom or deep
darkness where evildoers may hide themselves. [23] For he has not appointed
a time for any man to go before God in judgment. [24] He shatters the
mighty without investigation, and sets others in their place. [25] Thus,
knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
[26] He strikes them for their wickedness in the sight of men, [27] because
they turned aside from following him, and had no regard for any of his
ways, [28] so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he
heard the cry of the afflicted-- [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] that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare
the people. [31] "For has any one said to God, ` have borne chastisement; I
will not offend any more; [32] teach me what I do not see; if I have done
iniquity, I will do it no more'? [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] Men of understanding will say to me, and the
wise man who hears me will say: [35] `Job speaks without knowledge, his
words are without insight.' [36] Would that Job were tried to the end,
because he answers like wicked men. [37] For he adds rebellion to his sin;
he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."
