31 Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;
    be silent, and I will speak.
32 If you have any words, (A)answer me;
    (B)speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, (C)listen to me;
    be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Elihu Asserts God's Justice

34 Then Elihu answered and said:

“Hear my words, you wise men,
    and give ear to me, you who know;
for (D)the ear tests words
    as the palate tastes food.
Let us choose (E)what is right;
    let us know among ourselves what is good.

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”