Job 34
Evangelical Heritage Version
34 Elihu resumed[a] his speech and said:
2 Hear my words, you wise men.
You learned men, pay attention to me.
3 It is true that the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 So now we should choose for ourselves what is just.
We should determine among ourselves what is good.
5 This is what Job said:
“I am in the right,
but God has deprived me of justice.
6 Would I lie about what is just for me?[b]
His arrow has inflicted an incurable wound on me,
though I did not rebel.”
7 Who is like Job?
He drinks down derision against God like water.
8 He travels the road with evildoers,
and he walks with wicked men,
9 because he said,
“It is no benefit to a man when he takes pleasure in God.”
10 So then, you men with understanding, listen to me.
I swear that God never does anything wicked.
The Almighty is far from wrongdoing.
11 He repays a man for what he does.
He causes the consequences of his ways to catch up with him.
12 God would absolutely not do anything evil.
The Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 Did anyone put him in charge of the earth?
Did anyone place the whole world under his control?
14 If God resolved in his heart to recall his spirit and breath to himself,
15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
16 But if you have understanding, listen to this.
Hear the sound of my words:
17 Is it possible that one who hates justice could govern?
Will you condemn the Righteous One, who is mighty?
18 He says to kings, “You are worthless,”
and tells nobles, “You are evil.”
19 He shows no favoritism to high officials,
and he shows no more regard for the rich than for the poor,
because they are all the work of his hands.
20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night.
People are shaken, and they pass away.
Even the mighty are taken away effortlessly, without a human hand,
21 because God’s eyes are on the ways of a man,
and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no darkness,
and there is no dark shadow where evildoers can hide,
23 for God does not need to investigate further
or to set a time of judgment for a person.
24 He breaks mighty rulers without further inquiry,
and he sets up others in their place.
25 Because he knows their deeds,
he overthrows them at night,
and they lie crushed.
26 Because of their wickedness,
he strikes them in plain sight of everyone.
27 He does this because they turned aside from following him,
and they were not wise enough to follow all his ways.
28 They caused the poor to cry out to God,
so he heard the cry of the afflicted.
29 But if God remains quiet, who can condemn him?
If he hides his face, who can observe him?
But even if he does, he still rules over both nations and individuals,
30 to prevent a godless man from ruling,
so that the godless man does not lay snares for the people.
31 What if someone says to God,
“I have accepted my punishment.
I will not keep sinning.
32 Teach me about what I do not see.
If I have done evil, I will not do it again.”
33 Would God then be obligated to repay you on your terms,
when you refuse to repent?[c]
But, Job, it is your decision, not mine.
So tell me what you know.
34 Men who have understanding say this to me,
and any wise person who listens tells me the same thing:
35 “Job speaks without knowledge,
and his words reveal a lack of understanding.”
36 I wish that Job would be tested to the limit,
because he responds like a wicked man.
37 Yes, he even adds rebellion to his sin.
Among us he shows his contempt by clapping his hands,
and he multiplies his words against God.
Job 34
New King James Version
Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice
34 Elihu further answered and said:
2 “Hear my words, you wise men;
Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3 (A)For the ear tests words
As the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose justice for ourselves;
Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 “For Job has said, (B)‘I am righteous,
But (C)God has taken away my justice;
6 (D)Should I lie concerning my right?
My [a]wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 What man is like Job,
(E)Who drinks [b]scorn like water,
8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity,
And walks with wicked men?
9 For (F)he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing
That he should delight in God.’
10 “Therefore listen to me, you [c]men of understanding:
(G)Far be it from God to do wickedness,
And from the Almighty to commit iniquity.
11 (H)For He repays man according to his work,
And makes man to find a reward according to his way.
12 Surely God will never do wickedly,
Nor will the Almighty (I)pervert justice.
13 Who gave Him charge over the earth?
Or who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 If He should set His heart on it,
If He should (J)gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath,
15 (K)All flesh would perish together,
And man would return to dust.
16 “If you have understanding, hear this;
Listen to the sound of my words:
17 (L)Should one who hates justice govern?
Will you (M)condemn Him who is most just?
18 (N)Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’
And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’?
19 Yet He (O)is not partial to princes,
Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor;
For (P)they are all the work of His hands.
20 In a moment they die, (Q)in the middle of the night;
The people are shaken and pass away;
The mighty are taken away without a hand.
21 “For(R) His eyes are on the ways of man,
And He sees all his steps.
22 (S)There is no darkness nor shadow of death
Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For He need not further consider a man,
That he should go before God in judgment.
24 (T)He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry,
And sets others in their place.
25 Therefore He knows their works;
He overthrows them in the night,
And they are crushed.
26 He strikes them as wicked men
In the open sight of others,
27 Because they (U)turned back from Him,
And (V)would not consider any of His ways,
28 So that they (W)caused the cry of the poor to come to Him;
For He (X)hears the cry of the afflicted.
29 When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble?
And when He hides His face, who then can see Him,
Whether it is against a nation or a man alone?—
30 That the hypocrite should not reign,
Lest the people be ensnared.
31 “For has anyone said to God,
‘I have borne chastening;
I will offend no more;
32 Teach me what I do not see;
If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’?
33 Should He repay it according to your terms,
Just because you disavow it?
You must choose, and not I;
Therefore speak what you know.
34 “Men of understanding say to me,
Wise men who listen to me:
35 ‘Job(Y) speaks without knowledge,
His words are without wisdom.’
36 Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost,
Because his answers are like those of wicked men!
37 For he adds (Z)rebellion to his sin;
He claps his hands among us,
And multiplies his words against God.”
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
