1Elihu answered: | 1Elihu answered: |
2"Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men. | 2"Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men. |
3For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food. | 3For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food. |
4Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good. | 4Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good. |
5For Job says, 'I am innocent, but God turns away my right. | 5For Job says, 'I am innocent, but God turns away my right. |
6Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.' | 6Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.' |
7What man is like Job, who drinks derision like water! | 7What man is like Job, who drinks derision like water! |
8He goes about in company with evildoers, he goes along with wicked men. | 8He goes about in company with evildoers, he goes along with wicked men. |
9For he says, 'It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.' | 9For he says, 'It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.' |
10"Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil. | 10"Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil. |
11For he repays a person for his work, and according to the conduct of a person, he causes the consequences to find him. | 11For he repays a person for his work, and according to the conduct of a person, he causes the consequences to find him. |
12Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. | 12Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. |
13Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world? | 13Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world? |
14If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath, | 14If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath, |
15all flesh would perish together and human beings would return to dust. | 15all flesh would perish together and human beings would return to dust. |
16"If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say. | 16"If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say. |
17Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One, | 17Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One, |
18who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,' | 18who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,' |
19who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands? | 19who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands? |
20In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly. | 20In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly. |
21For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person's steps. | 21For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person's steps. |
22There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves. | 22There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves. |
23For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment. | 23For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment. |
24He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place. | 24He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place. |
25Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. | 25Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. |
26He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see, | 26He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see, |
27because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways, | 27because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways, |
28so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy. | 28so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy. |
29But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike, | 29But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike, |
30so that the godless man should not rule, and not lay snares for the people. | 30so that the godless man should not rule, and not lay snares for the people. |
31"Has anyone said to God, 'I have endured chastisement, but I will not act wrongly any more. | 31"Has anyone said to God, 'I have endured chastisement, but I will not act wrongly any more. |
32Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done evil, I will do so no more.' | 32Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done evil, I will do so no more.' |
33Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know. | 33Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know. |
34Men of understanding say to me--any wise man listening to me says-- | 34Men of understanding say to me--any wise man listening to me says-- |
35that Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without understanding. | 35that Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without understanding. |
36But Job will be tested to the end, because his answers are like those of wicked men. | 36But Job will be tested to the end, because his answers are like those of wicked men. |
37For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands, and multiplies his words against God." | 37For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands, and multiplies his words against God." |
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