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Elihu Condemns Self-Righteousness

35 Elihu continued and said:

“Do you think this to be just?
    You say, ‘I am in the right before God.’
If you ask, ‘What advantage have I?
    How am I better off than if I had sinned?’
I will answer you
    and your friends with you.
Look at the heavens and see;
    observe the clouds, which are higher than you.
If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?
    And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
If you are righteous, what do you give to him;
    or what does he receive from your hand?
Your wickedness affects others like you,
    and your righteousness, other human beings.

“Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out;
    they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.
10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
    who gives strength in the night,
11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth,
    and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?’
12 There they cry out, but he does not answer,
    because of the pride of evildoers.
13 Surely God does not hear an empty cry,
    nor does the Almighty[a] regard it.
14 How much less when you say that you do not see him,
    that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him!
15 And now, because his anger does not punish,
    and he does not greatly heed transgression,[b]
16 Job opens his mouth in empty talk,
    he multiplies words without knowledge.”

Elihu Exalts God’s Goodness

36 Elihu continued and said:

“Bear with me a little, and I will show you,
    for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.
I will bring my knowledge from far away,
    and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
For truly my words are not false;
    one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

“Surely God is mighty and does not despise any;
    he is mighty in strength of understanding.
He does not keep the wicked alive,
    but gives the afflicted their right.
He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
    but with kings on the throne
    he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
And if they are bound in fetters
    and caught in the cords of affliction,
then he declares to them their work
    and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.
10 He opens their ears to instruction,
    and commands that they return from iniquity.
11 If they listen, and serve him,
    they complete their days in prosperity,
    and their years in pleasantness.
12 But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword,
    and die without knowledge.

13 “The godless in heart cherish anger;
    they do not cry for help when he binds them.
14 They die in their youth,
    and their life ends in shame.[c]
15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction,
    and opens their ear by adversity.
16 He also allured you out of distress
    into a broad place where there was no constraint,
    and what was set on your table was full of fatness.

17 “But you are obsessed with the case of the wicked;
    judgment and justice seize you.
18 Beware that wrath does not entice you into scoffing,
    and do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
19 Will your cry avail to keep you from distress,
    or will all the force of your strength?
20 Do not long for the night,
    when peoples are cut off in their place.
21 Beware! Do not turn to iniquity;
    because of that you have been tried by affliction.
22 See, God is exalted in his power;
    who is a teacher like him?
23 Who has prescribed for him his way,
    or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?

Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty

24 “Remember to extol his work,
    of which mortals have sung.
25 All people have looked on it;
    everyone watches it from far away.
26 Surely God is great, and we do not know him;
    the number of his years is unsearchable.
27 For he draws up the drops of water;
    he distills[d] his mist in rain,
28 which the skies pour down
    and drop upon mortals abundantly.
29 Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds,
    the thunderings of his pavilion?
30 See, he scatters his lightning around him
    and covers the roots of the sea.
31 For by these he governs peoples;
    he gives food in abundance.
32 He covers his hands with the lightning,
    and commands it to strike the mark.
33 Its crashing[e] tells about him;
    he is jealous[f] with anger against iniquity.

37 “At this also my heart trembles,
    and leaps out of its place.
Listen, listen to the thunder of his voice
    and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
Under the whole heaven he lets it loose,
    and his lightning to the corners of the earth.
After it his voice roars;
    he thunders with his majestic voice
    and he does not restrain the lightnings[g] when his voice is heard.
God thunders wondrously with his voice;
    he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth’;
    and the shower of rain, his heavy shower of rain,
serves as a sign on everyone’s hand,
    so that all whom he has made may know it.[h]
Then the animals go into their lairs
    and remain in their dens.
From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
    and cold from the scattering winds.
10 By the breath of God ice is given,
    and the broad waters are frozen fast.
11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
    the clouds scatter his lightning.
12 They turn round and round by his guidance,
    to accomplish all that he commands them
    on the face of the habitable world.
13 Whether for correction, or for his land,
    or for love, he causes it to happen.

14 “Hear this, O Job;
    stop and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know how God lays his command upon them,
    and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know the balancings of the clouds,
    the wondrous works of the one whose knowledge is perfect,
17 you whose garments are hot
    when the earth is still because of the south wind?
18 Can you, like him, spread out the skies,
    hard as a molten mirror?
19 Teach us what we shall say to him;
    we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
    Did anyone ever wish to be swallowed up?
21 Now, no one can look on the light
    when it is bright in the skies,
    when the wind has passed and cleared them.
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor;
    around God is awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty[i]—we cannot find him;
    he is great in power and justice,
    and abundant righteousness he will not violate.
24 Therefore mortals fear him;
    he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 35:13 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai
  2. Job 35:15 Theodotion Symmachus Compare Vg: Meaning of Heb uncertain
  3. Job 36:14 Heb ends among the temple prostitutes
  4. Job 36:27 Cn: Heb they distill
  5. Job 36:33 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  6. Job 36:33 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  7. Job 37:4 Heb them
  8. Job 37:7 Meaning of Heb of verse 7 uncertain
  9. Job 37:23 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai

35 Then Elihu said:

“Do you think this is just?
    You say, ‘I am in the right,(A) not God.’(B)
Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me,[a]
    and what do I gain by not sinning?’(C)

“I would like to reply to you
    and to your friends with you.
Look up at the heavens(D) and see;
    gaze at the clouds so high above you.(E)
If you sin, how does that affect him?
    If your sins are many, what does that do to him?(F)
If you are righteous, what do you give to him,(G)
    or what does he receive(H) from your hand?(I)
Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself,(J)
    and your righteousness only other people.(K)

“People cry out(L) under a load of oppression;(M)
    they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.(N)
10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,(O)
    who gives songs(P) in the night,(Q)
11 who teaches(R) us(S) more than he teaches[b] the beasts of the earth
    and makes us wiser than[c] the birds in the sky?’
12 He does not answer(T) when people cry out
    because of the arrogance(U) of the wicked.(V)
13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea;
    the Almighty pays no attention to it.(W)
14 How much less, then, will he listen
    when you say that you do not see him,(X)
that your case(Y) is before him
    and you must wait for him,(Z)
15 and further, that his anger never punishes(AA)
    and he does not take the least notice of wickedness.[d](AB)
16 So Job opens his mouth with empty talk;(AC)
    without knowledge he multiplies words.”(AD)

36 Elihu continued:

“Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
    that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.
I get my knowledge from afar;(AE)
    I will ascribe justice to my Maker.(AF)
Be assured that my words are not false;(AG)
    one who has perfect knowledge(AH) is with you.(AI)

“God is mighty,(AJ) but despises no one;(AK)
    he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.(AL)
He does not keep the wicked alive(AM)
    but gives the afflicted their rights.(AN)
He does not take his eyes off the righteous;(AO)
    he enthrones them with kings(AP)
    and exalts them forever.(AQ)
But if people are bound in chains,(AR)
    held fast by cords of affliction,(AS)
he tells them what they have done—
    that they have sinned arrogantly.(AT)
10 He makes them listen(AU) to correction(AV)
    and commands them to repent of their evil.(AW)
11 If they obey and serve him,(AX)
    they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity(AY)
    and their years in contentment.(AZ)
12 But if they do not listen,
    they will perish by the sword[e](BA)
    and die without knowledge.(BB)

13 “The godless in heart(BC) harbor resentment;(BD)
    even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.(BE)
14 They die in their youth,(BF)
    among male prostitutes of the shrines.(BG)
15 But those who suffer(BH) he delivers in their suffering;(BI)
    he speaks(BJ) to them in their affliction.(BK)

16 “He is wooing(BL) you from the jaws of distress
    to a spacious place(BM) free from restriction,(BN)
    to the comfort of your table(BO) laden with choice food.(BP)
17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;(BQ)
    judgment and justice have taken hold of you.(BR)
18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
    do not let a large bribe(BS) turn you aside.(BT)
19 Would your wealth(BU) or even all your mighty efforts
    sustain you so you would not be in distress?
20 Do not long for the night,(BV)
    to drag people away from their homes.[f]
21 Beware of turning to evil,(BW)
    which you seem to prefer to affliction.(BX)

22 “God is exalted in his power.(BY)
    Who is a teacher like him?(BZ)
23 Who has prescribed his ways(CA) for him,(CB)
    or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?(CC)
24 Remember to extol his work,(CD)
    which people have praised in song.(CE)
25 All humanity has seen it;(CF)
    mortals gaze on it from afar.
26 How great is God—beyond our understanding!(CG)
    The number of his years is past finding out.(CH)

27 “He draws up the drops of water,(CI)
    which distill as rain to the streams[g];(CJ)
28 the clouds pour down their moisture
    and abundant showers(CK) fall on mankind.(CL)
29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,
    how he thunders(CM) from his pavilion?(CN)
30 See how he scatters his lightning(CO) about him,
    bathing the depths of the sea.(CP)
31 This is the way he governs[h] the nations(CQ)
    and provides food(CR) in abundance.(CS)
32 He fills his hands with lightning
    and commands it to strike its mark.(CT)
33 His thunder announces the coming storm;(CU)
    even the cattle make known its approach.[i](CV)

37 “At this my heart pounds(CW)
    and leaps from its place.
Listen!(CX) Listen to the roar of his voice,(CY)
    to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.(CZ)
He unleashes his lightning(DA) beneath the whole heaven
    and sends it to the ends of the earth.(DB)
After that comes the sound of his roar;
    he thunders(DC) with his majestic voice.(DD)
When his voice resounds,
    he holds nothing back.
God’s voice thunders(DE) in marvelous ways;(DF)
    he does great things beyond our understanding.(DG)
He says to the snow,(DH) ‘Fall on the earth,’
    and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’(DI)
So that everyone he has made may know his work,(DJ)
    he stops all people from their labor.[j](DK)
The animals take cover;(DL)
    they remain in their dens.(DM)
The tempest comes out from its chamber,(DN)
    the cold from the driving winds.(DO)
10 The breath of God produces ice,
    and the broad waters become frozen.(DP)
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;(DQ)
    he scatters his lightning(DR) through them.(DS)
12 At his direction they swirl around
    over the face of the whole earth
    to do whatever he commands them.(DT)
13 He brings the clouds to punish people,(DU)
    or to water his earth and show his love.(DV)

14 “Listen(DW) to this, Job;
    stop and consider God’s wonders.(DX)
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
    and makes his lightning(DY) flash?(DZ)
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,(EA)
    those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?(EB)
17 You who swelter in your clothes
    when the land lies hushed under the south wind,(EC)
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,(ED)
    hard as a mirror of cast bronze?(EE)

19 “Tell us what we should say to him;(EF)
    we cannot draw up our case(EG) because of our darkness.(EH)
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
    Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun,(EI)
    bright as it is in the skies
    after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;(EJ)
    God comes in awesome majesty.(EK)
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;(EL)
    in his justice(EM) and great righteousness, he does not oppress.(EN)
24 Therefore, people revere him,(EO)
    for does he not have regard for all the wise(EP) in heart?[k]

Footnotes

  1. Job 35:3 Or you
  2. Job 35:11 Or night, / 11 who teaches us by
  3. Job 35:11 Or us wise by
  4. Job 35:15 Symmachus, Theodotion and Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  5. Job 36:12 Or will cross the river
  6. Job 36:20 The meaning of the Hebrew for verses 18-20 is uncertain.
  7. Job 36:27 Or distill from the mist as rain
  8. Job 36:31 Or nourishes
  9. Job 36:33 Or announces his coming— / the One zealous against evil
  10. Job 37:7 Or work, / he fills all people with fear by his power
  11. Job 37:24 Or for he does not have regard for any who think they are wise.

Punishment of the Wicked

15 In return for their foolish and wicked thoughts,
which led them astray to worship irrational serpents and worthless animals,
you sent upon them a multitude of irrational creatures to punish them,
16 so that they might learn that one is punished by the very things by which one sins.
17 For your all-powerful hand,
which created the world out of formless matter,
did not lack the means to send upon them a multitude of bears, or bold lions,
18 or newly-created unknown beasts full of rage,
or such as breathe out fiery breath,
or belch forth a thick pall of smoke,
or flash terrible sparks from their eyes;
19 not only could the harm they did destroy people,[a]
but the mere sight of them could kill by fright.
20 Even apart from these, people[b] could fall at a single breath
when pursued by justice
and scattered by the breath of your power.
But you have arranged all things by measure and number and weight.

God Is Powerful and Merciful

21 For it is always in your power to show great strength,
and who can withstand the might of your arm?
22 Because the whole world before you is like a speck that tips the scales,
and like a drop of morning dew that falls on the ground.
23 But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things,
and you overlook people’s sins, so that they may repent.
24 For you love all things that exist,
and detest none of the things that you have made,
for you would not have made anything if you had hated it.
25 How would anything have endured if you had not willed it?
Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved?
26 You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living.

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Footnotes

  1. Wisdom 11:19 Gk them
  2. Wisdom 11:20 Gk they
'Wisdom 11:15-26' not found for the version: New International Version.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28 But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus[a] there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”]][b] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah[c] of God, his chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him,[d] “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding[e] him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah?[f] Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into[g] your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

The Death of Jesus

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land[h] until three in the afternoon, 45 while the sun’s light failed;[i] and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. 47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.”[j] 48 And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49 But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus

50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51 had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.[k] 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:33 Gk him
  2. Luke 23:34 Other ancient authorities lack the sentence Then Jesus . . . what they are doing
  3. Luke 23:35 Or the Christ
  4. Luke 23:38 Other ancient authorities add written in Greek and Latin and Hebrew (that is, Aramaic)
  5. Luke 23:39 Or blaspheming
  6. Luke 23:39 Or the Christ
  7. Luke 23:42 Other ancient authorities read in
  8. Luke 23:44 Or earth
  9. Luke 23:45 Or the sun was eclipsed. Other ancient authorities read the sun was darkened
  10. Luke 23:47 Or righteous
  11. Luke 23:54 Gk was dawning

The Crucifixion of Jesus(A)

26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene,(B) who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.(C) 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed(D) for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.(E) 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’(F) 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
    and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[a](G)

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”(H)

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.(I) 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father,(J) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[b](K) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(L)

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him.(M) They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”(N)

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him.(O) They offered him wine vinegar(P) 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews,(Q) save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.(R)

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”(S)

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”(T)

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[c](U)

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”(V)

The Death of Jesus(W)

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,(X) 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple(Y) was torn in two.(Z) 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice,(AA) “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[d](AB) When he had said this, he breathed his last.(AC)

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God(AD) and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts(AE) and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee,(AF) stood at a distance,(AG) watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus(AH)

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.(AI) 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day,(AJ) and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee(AK) followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.(AL) But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.(AM)

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 23:30 Hosea 10:8
  2. Luke 23:34 Some early manuscripts do not have this sentence.
  3. Luke 23:42 Some manuscripts come with your kingly power
  4. Luke 23:46 Psalm 31:5