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Job 34
Tree of Life Version
Job 34
Tree of Life Version
Testing Job’s Claims
34 Then Elihu answered:
2 “Hear my words, you wise men;
give ear to me, you men of learning.
3 For the ear tests words
as the mouth tastes food.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right;
Let us learn together what is good.
5 “For Job says, ‘I am righteous,
but God has deprived me of justice.
6 Concerning my right, should I lie?
My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.’
7 What man is like Job,
who drinks mockery like water,
8 who keeps company with evildoers,
and walks with wicked men?
9 For he says, ‘It does not profit a man
when he makes his delight with God.’
10 “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding:
Wickedness is far from God, injustice from Shaddai
11 For He repays a person for what he has done,
and brings on the person what he deserves.
12 “Truly God does not act wickedly,
and Shaddai does not pervert justice.
13 Who appointed Him over the earth?
Who put Him over the whole world?
14 “If He were to set His heart on it,
and gather to Himself His Ruach and breath,
15 all flesh would perish together
and mankind would return to dust.[a]
16 “Now if you have understanding, hear this;
give ear to the sound of my words.
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?
Will you condemn the mighty, righteous One?
18 Who says to a king, ‘Worthless man’
and to nobles, ‘Wicked men’!
19 Who shows no partiality before princes,
and does not favor the rich over the poor,
for they are all the work of His hands.
20 They die in a moment, at midnight,
people are shaken and they pass away.
The mighty are removed without a hand.
21 “For His eyes are on the ways of man;
He sees all his steps.
22 There is no gloom and no deep darkness,
where evildoers can hide themselves.
23 For He does not consider a man further
that he should go before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry,
and sets others in their place.
25 Thus He recognizes their deeds,
He overturns them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness
in a place where people can see,
27 because they turned from following Him,
and have not understood any of His ways.
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him,
so that He hears the cry of the afflicted.
29 “But if He is quiet, who can condemn Him?
If He hides His face, who can see Him?
Yet He is over a nation and an individual alike,
30 so that godless men should not rule,
nor lay snares for people.
31 “Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have born chastisement,
but I will not act wickedly any more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see.
If I have done evil, I will not do it again.’
33 Should He requite it on your terms,
because you reject it?
But you must choose and not I;
now declare what you know.
34 “Men of understanding declare,
wise men who hear me say to me,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge,
and his words lack understanding.’
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the end,
for answering like wicked men.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin;
in our midst he claps his hands
and multiplies his words against God.”
Footnotes
- Job 34:15 cf. Acts 17:25, 28.
Job 34
New International Version
Job 34
New International Version
34 Then Elihu said:
2 “Hear my words, you wise men;
listen to me,(A) you men of learning.
3 For the ear tests words
as the tongue tastes food.(B)
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right;(C)
let us learn together what is good.(D)
5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent,(E)
but God denies me justice.(F)
6 Although I am right,
I am considered a liar;(G)
although I am guiltless,(H)
his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’(I)
7 Is there anyone like Job,
who drinks scorn like water?(J)
8 He keeps company with evildoers;
he associates with the wicked.(K)
9 For he says, ‘There is no profit
in trying to please God.’(L)
10 “So listen to me,(M) you men of understanding.(N)
Far be it from God to do evil,(O)
from the Almighty to do wrong.(P)
11 He repays everyone for what they have done;(Q)
he brings on them what their conduct deserves.(R)
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,(S)
that the Almighty would pervert justice.(T)
13 Who appointed(U) him over the earth?
Who put him in charge of the whole world?(V)
14 If it were his intention
and he withdrew his spirit[a](W) and breath,(X)
15 all humanity would perish(Y) together
and mankind would return to the dust.(Z)
16 “If you have understanding,(AA) hear this;
listen to what I say.(AB)
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?(AC)
Will you condemn the just and mighty One?(AD)
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
and to nobles,(AE) ‘You are wicked,’(AF)
19 who shows no partiality(AG) to princes
and does not favor the rich over the poor,(AH)
for they are all the work of his hands?(AI)
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;(AJ)
the people are shaken and they pass away;
the mighty are removed without human hand.(AK)
21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals;(AL)
he sees their every step.(AM)
22 There is no deep shadow,(AN) no utter darkness,(AO)
where evildoers can hide.(AP)
23 God has no need to examine people further,(AQ)
that they should come before him for judgment.(AR)
24 Without inquiry he shatters(AS) the mighty(AT)
and sets up others in their place.(AU)
25 Because he takes note of their deeds,(AV)
he overthrows them in the night(AW) and they are crushed.(AX)
26 He punishes them for their wickedness(AY)
where everyone can see them,
27 because they turned from following him(AZ)
and had no regard for any of his ways.(BA)
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,
so that he heard the cry of the needy.(BB)
29 But if he remains silent,(BC) who can condemn him?(BD)
If he hides his face,(BE) who can see him?
Yet he is over individual and nation alike,(BF)
30 to keep the godless(BG) from ruling,(BH)
from laying snares for the people.(BI)
31 “Suppose someone says to God,
‘I am guilty(BJ) but will offend no more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see;(BK)
if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’(BL)
33 Should God then reward you on your terms,
when you refuse to repent?(BM)
You must decide, not I;
so tell me what you know.
34 “Men of understanding declare,
wise men who hear me say to me,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge;(BN)
his words lack insight.’(BO)
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost
for answering like a wicked man!(BP)
37 To his sin he adds rebellion;
scornfully he claps his hands(BQ) among us
and multiplies his words(BR) against God.”(BS)
Footnotes
- Job 34:14 Or Spirit
Job 34
King James Version
Job 34
King James Version
34 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10 Therefore hearken unto me ye 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 unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth 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 upon the ways of man, and he seeth 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 upon 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 knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh 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 unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth 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 unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Job 34
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Job 34
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 34
1 Then Elihu answered and said:[a]
2 Hear my discourse, you that are wise;
you that have knowledge, listen to me!
3 For the ear tests words,
as the palate tastes food.(A)
4 Let us choose what is right;
let us determine among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, “I am innocent,
but God has taken away what is my right.(B)
6 I declare the judgment on me to be a lie;
my arrow-wound is incurable, sinless though I am.”(C)
7 What man is like Job?
He drinks in blasphemies like water,
8 Keeps company with evildoers
and goes along with the wicked,
9 When he says, “There is no profit
in pleasing God.”(D)
10 Therefore, you that have understanding, hear me:
far be it from God to do wickedness;
far from the Almighty to do wrong!(E)
11 Rather, he requites mortals for their conduct,
and brings home to them their way of life.(F)
12 Surely, God cannot act wickedly,
the Almighty cannot pervert justice.(G)
13 Who gave him charge over the earth,
or who set all the world in its place?(H)
14 If he were to set his mind to it,
gather to himself his spirit and breath,
15 All flesh would perish together,
and mortals return to dust.(I)
16 Now you[b]—understand, hear this!
Listen to the words I speak!
17 Can an enemy of justice be in control,
will you condemn the supreme Just One,
18 Who says to a king, “You are worthless!”
and to nobles, “You are wicked!”
19 Who neither favors the person of princes,
nor respects the rich more than the poor?
For they are all the work of his hands;(J)
20 in a moment they die, even at midnight.(K)
People are shaken, and pass away,
the powerful are removed without lifting a hand;
21 For his eyes are upon our ways,
and all our steps he sees.
22 There is no darkness so dense
that evildoers can hide in it.
23 For no one has God set a time
to come before him in judgment.
24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty,(L)
and appoints others in their place,
25 Thus he discerns their works;
overnight they are crushed.
26 [c]Where the wicked are, he strikes them,
in a place where all can see,
27 Because they turned away from him
and did not understand his ways at all:
28 And made the cry of the poor reach him,
so that he heard the cry of the afflicted.
29 If he is silent, who then can condemn?
If he hides his face, who then can behold him,
whether nation or individual?
30 Let an impious man not rule,
nor those who ensnare their people.
31 Should anyone say to God,
“I accept my punishment; I will offend no more;
32 What I cannot see, teach me:
if I have done wrong, I will do so no more,”
33 Would you then say that God must punish,
when you are disdainful?
It is you who must choose, not I;
speak, therefore, what you know.
34 Those who understand will say to me,
all the wise who hear my views:
35 “Job speaks without knowledge,
his words make no sense.(M)
36 Let Job be tested to the limit,
since his answers are those of the impious;
37 For he is adding rebellion to his sin
by brushing off our arguments
and addressing many words to God.”
Footnotes
- 34:1 Elihu replies, although no one else has spoken. This connective phrase (see also 35:1 and 36:1) may indicate that these speeches of Elihu are a secondary addition to the book (see note on 32:2).
- 34:16 Now you: Elihu turns to Job and addresses him directly.
- 34:26, 29–30 The extant Hebrew text of these verses is obscure.
Job 34
Legacy Standard Bible
Job 34
Legacy Standard Bible
Elihu Answers That God Will Be Just
34 Then Elihu answered and said,
2 “Hear my speech, you wise men,
And give ear to me, you who know.
3 For (A)the ear tests words
As the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is just;
Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, ‘(B)I am righteous,
But (C)God has removed my justice;
6 [a]Should I lie concerning my justice?
My [b](D)wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 What man is like Job,
Who (E)drinks up mocking like water,
8 But he travels (F)in company with the workers of iniquity,
And walks with wicked men?
9 For he has said, ‘(G)It is of no use to a man
When he [c]is pleased with God.’
10 “Therefore, listen to me, you men with a heart of wisdom.
Far be it from God to (H)do injustice,
And from the Almighty to do wrong.
11 For He pays a man according to (I)his work,
And makes [d]him find it according to his way.
12 Truly, (J)God will not act wickedly,
And the Almighty will not pervert justice.
13 Who (K)appointed Him with authority over the earth?
And who (L)has laid on Him the whole world?
14 If He should set His heart on it,
If He should (M)gather to Himself His spirit and His breath,
15 All (N)flesh would breathe its last together,
And man would (O)return to dust.
16 “But if you have understanding, hear this;
Give ear to the sound of my speech.
17 Shall (P)one who hates justice [e]rule?
And (Q)will you condemn the righteous mighty One,
18 Who says to a king, ‘Vile one,’
To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’;
19 Who shows no (R)partiality to princes
Nor recognizes the rich above the poor,
For they all are the (S)work of His hands?
20 In a moment they die, and (T)at midnight
People are shaken and pass away,
And (U)the mighty are taken away without a hand.
21 “For (V)His eyes are upon the ways of a man,
And He sees all his steps.
22 There is (W)no darkness or shadow of death
Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 [f]For He does not (X)need to consider a man further,
That he should go before God in judgment.
24 He breaks in pieces (Y)mighty men without searching anything out,
And sets others in their place.
25 Therefore He (Z)recognizes their labors,
And (AA)He overthrows them in the night,
And they are crushed.
26 He (AB)strikes them like the wicked
[g]In a public place,
27 Because they (AC)turned aside from following Him,
And (AD)had no insight from any of His ways;
28 So that they caused (AE)the cry of the poor to come to Him,
And that He might (AF)hear the cry of the afflicted.
29 So if He keeps quiet, who then can condemn?
So if He hides His face, who then can perceive Him?
He is above both nation and man altogether,
30 So that (AG)godless men would not rule
Nor be snares of the people.
31 “For has anyone said to God,
‘I have borne chastisement;
I will not work destructively anymore;
32 Instruct me what I do not behold;
If I have (AH)done injustice,
I will not do it again’?
33 Shall He (AI)repay on your terms, because you have rejected it?
For you must choose, and not I;
Therefore say what you know.
34 Men with a heart of wisdom will say to me,
And a wise man who hears me,
35 ‘Job (AJ)speaks without knowledge,
And his words are without insight.
36 Job ought to be tested [h]to the limit
Because he answers (AK)like wicked men.
37 For he adds (AL)transgression to his sin;
He (AM)strikes his hands together among us,
And multiplies his words against God.’”
Footnotes
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Legacy Standard Bible (LSB)
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