Job 34
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
34 And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
2 Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:
3 For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
4 Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
5 For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
6 For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
9 For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
10 Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.
11 For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.
12 For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?
14 If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?
18 Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly?
19 Who accepteth not the persons of princes: nor hath regarded the tyrant, when he contended against the poor man: for all are the work of his hands.
20 They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.
22 There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.
23 For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.
25 For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.
26 He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
27 Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:
28 So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
29 For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?
30 Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
31 Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
32 If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.
33 Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou begannest to speak, and not I: but if thou know any thing better, speak.
34 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
35 But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
36 My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.
37 Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.
Job 34
Complete Jewish Bible
34 Elihu continued speaking:
2 “Hear my words, you sages!
Listen to me, you who know so much!
3 For the ear tests words,
just as the palate tastes food.
4 Let’s choose for ourselves what is just;
let’s decide among ourselves what is good.
5 For Iyov says, ‘I am in the right,
but God is denying me justice.
6 Against justice, I am considered a liar;
my wound is mortal, though I committed no crime.’
7 “Is there a man like Iyov,
who drinks in scoffing like water,
8 who keeps company with evildoers
and goes with wicked men,
9 since he thinks, ‘It profits a person nothing
to be in accord with God’?
10 “So listen to me, you men with sense!
Far be it from God to do anything wicked!
11 For he pays people back for what they do
and sees that each gets what his conduct deserves.
12 It is certain that God does nothing wicked;
Shaddai will not pervert justice.
13 Did someone else put him in charge of the earth?
Who else established the entire world?
14 If he were to take back man’s heart to himself,
if he gathered to himself his spirit and breath;
15 all flesh would instantly perish,
everyone would return to dust.
16 “If you have any sense, [Iyov,] hear this;
listen to what I am saying.
17-18 Should a hater of justice be in control?
If you wouldn’t tell a king, ‘You’re a scoundrel!’
or nobles, ‘You are wicked men!’
then you shouldn’t condemn the Just and Mighty One,
19 who is neither partial toward princes
nor favors the rich over the poor,
since they all are the work of his hands.
20 They may die in a moment, in the middle of the night —
the people are shaken and pass away,
the mighty are removed without human hands.
21 For he keeps watch on a person’s ways;
he sees his every step.
22 There is no darkness, no death-like gloom,
where wrongdoers can hide;
23 for he doesn’t give warning to people
when they must appear before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without needing to investigate
and sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore, aware of what they are doing,
he overturns them by night, and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them as if they were common criminals
in the open sight of others,
27 because they turned away from following him
and gave no thought to any of his ways,
28 thereby bringing before him the cries of the poor;
and he hears the cries of the oppressed.
29 “But if God is silent, who can accuse him;
if he hides his face, who can see him?
He may do this to nations and persons alike,
30 so that godless men will not become kings,
and the people will not be lured into traps.
31 “For has anyone said to God,
‘I have been chastised without having offended;
32 teach me what I have failed to see;
and if I have done wrong, I will do it no more’?
33 Must his rewards meet your approval?
Well, you are the one who doesn’t like them,
so you, not I, should pick the alternative;
come on, say what you think!
34 Intelligent people will tell me,
every wise man who hears me will say,
35 ‘Iyov is speaking without thinking;
his words lack discernment.’
36 “I wish Iyov would be kept on trial forever,
because he answers like wicked men.
37 For now to his sin he adds rebellion;
he [mockingly] claps his hands among us
and keeps adding to his words against God.”
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Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.