[1] Moreover Elihu answered, [2] "Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear
to me, you who have knowledge. [3] For the ear tries words, As the
palate tastes food. [4] Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us
know among ourselves what is good. [5] For Job has said, `I am righteous,
God has taken away my right: [6] Notwithstanding my right I am considered
a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.` [7]
What man is like Job, Who drinks up scoffing like water, [8] Who goes in
company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men? [9] For
he has said, `It profits a man nothing That he should delight himself
with God.` [10] "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far
be it from God, that he should do wickedness, From the Almighty, that he
should commit iniquity. [11] For the work of a man will he render to him,
And cause every man to find according to his ways. [12] Yes surely, God
will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice. [13]
Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who has appointed him over the
whole world? [14] If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to
himself his spirit and his breath; [15] All flesh would perish together,
And man would turn again to dust. [16] "If now you have understanding, hear
this. Listen to the voice of my words. [17] Shall even one who hates
justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?-- [18]
Who says to a king, `Vile!` Or to nobles, `Wicked!` [19] Who doesn`t
respect the persons of princes, Nor regards 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, The mighty are
taken away without hand. [21] "For his eyes are on the ways of a man, He
sees all his goings. [22] There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where
the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. [23] For he doesn`t need to
consider a man further, That he should go before God in judgment. [24]
He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, And sets others
in their place. [25] Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He
overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. [26] He strikes
them as wicked men In the open sight of others; [27] Because they turned
aside from following him, And wouldn`t have regard in any of his ways:
[28] So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, He heard
the cry of the afflicted. [29] When he gives quietness, who then can
condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether
to a nation, or to a man: [30] That the godless man may not reign, That
there be no one to ensnare the people. [31] "For has any said to God, `I
am guilty, but I will not offend any more. [32] Teach me that which I don`t
see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more`? [33] Shall his
recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose,
and not I. Therefore speak what you know. [34] Men of understanding will
tell me, Yes, every wise man who hears me: [35] `Job speaks without
knowledge, His words are without wisdom.` [36] I wish that Job were
tried to the end, Because of his answering like wicked men. [37] For he
adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, And
multiplies his words against God."
