Job 34 · איוב

Furthermore, Elihu answered and said,

Hear my words, O wise men; and give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

Let us choose what is right: let us know among ourselves what is good.

For Iyyov has said, I am righteous: and God has taken away my right:

notwithstanding my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.

What man is like Iyyov, who drinks up scorning like water?

who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men.

For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should be in accord with God.

Therefore hearken 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.

For the work of a man shall he pay back to him, and according to his ways will he cause to befall every man.

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed the whole world?

If he set his heart upon man, if he gather to himself his spirit and his breath;

all flesh shall perish together, and man shall return to dust.

If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

Shall even one that hates right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art base? and to princes, You are wicked?

How much less to him who does not respect the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

In a moment they die, at midnight the people are shaken, and pass away; for they are removed and spirited away without hands.

For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.

There is no darkness, nor deep gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

For he will not lay upon man anything more, that he should enter into judgment with God.

He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

Surely he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

because they turned back from following him, and would not have regard to any of his ways:

so that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted.

When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? Whether against a nation, or against a man alike:

that the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

For surely it is fitting to say to God, I suffer, I will no more offend:

that which I do not see teach me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

Shall he recompense it according to thy mind, when thou refusest his judgment? shall he say, Thou shalt choose, and not I; and speak what thou knowst.

Men of understanding will tell me, and the wise man who hears me will say,

Iyyov has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

Would that Iyyov may be tried to the end because he answers like wicked men.

For he adds rebellion to his sin; he strikes his fist among us, and multiplies his words against God.