Job 34

Elihu defends God's justice, insisting that the Almighty cannot do wickedness and that He repays every man according to his work. He rebukes Job for adding rebellion to his sin and declares that God is no respecter of persons, striking down the mighty without investigation.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Furthermore Elihu answered and said,	Furthermore Elihu answered and said:
2	Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.	"Hear my words, O You wise men; and give ear to me, You that have knowledge.
3	For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.	For the ear tries words, as the mouth tastes meat.
4	Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.	Let us choose to us judgment; let us know among ourselves what is good.
5	For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.	For Job has said, 'I am righteous; and God has taken away my judgment.
6	Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.	Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.'
7	What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?	What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water?
8	Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.	who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men.
9	For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.	For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'
10	Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.	Therefore listen to me, You men of understanding: far be it from God, that He should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that He should commit iniquity.
11	For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.	For the work of a man shall he render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12	Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.	Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13	Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?	Who has given Him a charge over the earth? Or who has disposed the whole world?
14	If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;	If He set His heart on man, if He gather to Himself His spirit and His breath,
15	All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.	all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again to dust.
16	If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.	If now You have understanding, hear this; listen to the voice of my words.
17	Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?	Shall even He that hates right govern? And will you condemn him that is most just?
18	Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?	Is it fit to say to a king, 'You are wicked'? And to princes, 'You are ungodly'?
19	How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.	How much less to Him that does not accept the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
20	In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.	In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away; and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21	For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.	For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all His goings.
22	There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.	There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23	For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.	For He will not lay on man more than right, that He should enter into judgment with God.
24	He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.	He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their place.
25	Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.	Therefore He knows their works, and He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26	He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;	He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others,
27	Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:	because they turned back from Him, and would not consider any of His ways,
28	So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.	so that they cause the cry of the poor to come to Him, and He hears the cry of the afflicted.
29	When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:	When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can behold Him? Whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only —
30	That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.	that the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31	Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:	Surely it is fit to be said to God, 'I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more;
32	That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.	that which I do not see teach me; if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.'
33	Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.	Should it be according to Your mind? He will recompense it, whether You refuse, or whether You choose; and not I; therefore speak what You know.
34	Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, and the wise man who hearkeneth unto me:	Men of understanding will say to me, yes, and the wise man who listens to me:
35	Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.	'Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.'
36	My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.	My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37	For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.	For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."