| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Then Elihu said: | 1Then Elihu continued: |
| 2"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning. | 2“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning. |
| 3For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. | 3For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. |
| 4Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. | 4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. |
| 5"Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice. | 5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice. |
| 6Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.' | 6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ |
| 7Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water? | 7What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water? |
| 8He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked. | 8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. |
| 9For he says, 'There is no profit in trying to please God.' | 9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ |
| 10"So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. | 10Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. |
| 11He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves. | 11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. |
| 12It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. | 12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. |
| 13Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? | 13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world? |
| 14If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, | 14If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, |
| 15all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. | 15all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. |
| 16"If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. | 16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. |
| 17Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One? | 17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, |
| 18Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,' | 18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ |
| 19who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? | 19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands. |
| 20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. | 20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. |
| 21"His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. | 21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. |
| 22There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide. | 22There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide. |
| 23God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment. | 23For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment. |
| 24Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. | 24He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place. |
| 25Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. | 25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. |
| 26He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, | 26He strikes them for their wickedness in full view, |
| 27because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways. | 27because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways. |
| 28They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy. | 28They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. |
| 29But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike, | 29But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation, |
| 30to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people. | 30that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people. |
| 31"Suppose someone says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more. | 31Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. |
| 32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.' | 32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ |
| 33Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know. | 33Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know. |
| 34"Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me, | 34Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say: |
| 35Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.' | 35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ |
| 36Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! | 36If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man. |
| 37To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God." | 37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.” |
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