1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words, O you wise men; and give ear to me, you that have knowledge.
3 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.
5 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.
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water?
8 Which 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; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For the work of a man shall 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 judgment.
13 Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed the whole world?
14 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 to dust.
16 If now you have understanding, hear this: listen to the voice of my words.
17 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, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepts not 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 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 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.
23 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.
25 Therefore he knows their works, and 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 back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted.
29 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.
31 Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32 That which I see not teach you me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33 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 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen to me.
35 Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36 My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin, he clapps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.
1 Elihu further answered and said:
2 Hear my words, you wise men; give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 For the ear examines words as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose justice for ourselves; let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, I am righteous, but the Mighty God has taken away my justice;
6 should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision 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 when he is pleasing to God.
10 Therefore listen to me, you men with heart: far be it from the Mighty God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do injustice.
11 For He repays man according to his work, and causes him to attain according to his way.
12 Surely the Mighty God will never do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
13 Who has given Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 If He should set His heart on it, if He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath,
15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to the sound of my words:
17 Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn a righteous mighty one?
18 Is it fitting to say to a king, You are worthless; and to nobles, You are wicked?
19 He is not partial to rulers, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; for they are all the work of His hands.
20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; people convulse and pass away; the mighty are taken away without a hand.
21 For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps.
22 There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For He does not lay more upon man, that he should go before the Mighty God in judgment.
24 He breaks mighty men in pieces without inquiry, and makes others stand in their place.
25 Therefore he knows their works; He overthrows them in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He chastises them as wicked men, in a place where others can see,
27 because they have turned aside from following Him, and have not considered any of His ways,
28 so that they cause the cry of the poor to come to Him; for He hears the cry of the lowly.
29 When He gives quietness, who then can condemn? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him? It might be against a nation or mankind altogether,
30 so that the hypocrite should not reign, lest the people be ensnared.
31 For has anyone said to the Mighty God, I have endured; I will offend no more;
32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done injustice, I will do no more?
33 Shall He recompense on your terms, just because you have rejected it? You must choose, and not I; therefore speak what you know.
34 Men with heart say to me, wise men who listen to me:
35 Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without insight.
36 Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost, because his answers are like those of wicked men!
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against the Mighty God.