31 Pay attention, Job, and listen to me.
Be quiet, and I will speak.
32 But if you have something to say,[a] answer me;
speak, for I would like to justify you.
33 If not, then listen to me;
be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.

34 Then Elihu continued,[b] saying:

Hear my words, you wise ones,
and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.
Doesn’t the ear test words
as the palate tastes food?
Let us judge for ourselves what is right;
let us decide together what is good.

Footnotes

  1. 33:32 Lit If there are words
  2. 34:1 Lit answered

31 “Listen attentively, Job; listen to me;
be silent, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say,[a] answer me;[b]
speak, for I desire to justify you.[c]
33 If not, you listen to me;
be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Elihu Asserts God’s Justice

34 Thus[d] Elihu spoke up[e] and said,

“Hear my words, you wise men,
and listen to me, you who know,
for the ear tests words,
and the palate tastes food.[f]
Let us choose justice for ourselves;
let us determine among ourselves what is good—

Footnotes

  1. Job 33:32 Literally “If there are words,” or “If there are sentences”
  2. Job 33:32 Literally “return to me”
  3. Job 33:32 Literally “your righteousness”
  4. Job 34:1 Hebrew “And”
  5. Job 34:1 Literally “answered”; see NET
  6. Job 34:3 Literally “to eat”