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Job 34
New Catholic Bible
Job 34
New Catholic Bible
Elihu’s Second Speech[a]
Chapter 34
Let Us Explore What Is Right.[b] 1 Then Elihu continued and said:
2 “Listen to my words, you wise men;
you men of learning, hear what I have to say.
3 For the ear tests the value of words
as the palate does with food.
4 “Let us consider together what is right;
let us determine among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, ‘I am innocent,
but God has denied me justice;
6 I am in desperate straits
despite the fact that I have done no wrong.’
7 “Was there ever a man like Job
with his thirst for blasphemous charges,
8 who keeps company with evildoers
and travels with wicked men?
9 Did he not state that no one derives any benefit
by being pleasing to God?
God Does Not Pervert Justice
10 “Therefore, listen to me like intelligent men.
Far be it from God to do evil;[c]
far be it from the Almighty to be unjust.
11 He requites everyone according to his deeds,
ensuring that he will receive what his conduct deserves.
12 There can be no doubt that God will never do wrong;
the Almighty will not pervert justice.
13 “Did someone else entrust the world to his keeping?
Who but he established the whole world?
14 If he were to take back his Spirit to himself
and withdraw back into himself his breath,
15 all flesh would perish instantaneously
and mankind would turn again to dust.
16 “If you have any semblance of intelligence, O Job,
pay attention to what I am saying.
17 How could an enemy of justice ever govern?
Would you dare to condemn the Righteous One, the Almighty,
18 who says to a king, ‘You are a scoundrel,’
and to nobles, ‘You are wicked men’?
19 “He shows no special respect to princes,
nor does he make any distinction between rich and poor,
for they are all the work of his hands.
20 They die suddenly, without warning,
in the middle of the night;
at his touch the rich are no more,
and he removes the mighty without lifting a finger.
God’s Eyes Observe the Ways of Humans
21 “For his eyes observe the ways of humans,
and he watches every step they take.
22 Nowhere is there darkness or gloom so dense
where evildoers may conceal themselves.
23 He forewarns no one when his time will come
to appear before God for judgment.
24 Without holding a trial he shatters the mighty
and establishes others in their place.
25 Knowing the sinful deeds they do,
he overthrows them at night and they are crushed.
26 “He strikes them down for their crimes
while others look on,
27 because they have turned away from following him
and paid no heed to any of his ways.
28 But they caused the cries of the poor to reach him,
so that he heard the anguished appeal of the afflicted.
29 “But if he remains silent and no one can condemn him,
and if he hides his face so that no one can behold him,
it is because he rules over nations and individuals
30 to prevent a godless man from ruling
and to set some wrongdoer free from affliction.
Job Is a Rebel to God[d]
31 “Suppose someone were to say to God,
‘I was wrong, but I will not offend anymore;
32 instruct me how to avoid sin
so that I will not do it again.’
33 In your opinion, should God then punish such a person
because he rejected his laws?
For it is up to you to decide, not me;
therefore, please enlighten us.
34 “Men of intelligence will say to me,
and any wise listener will assert:
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge;[e]
what he says lacks any intelligence.’
36 Would that Job be tried to the limit,
since his answers are those of the wicked.
37 For he is adding rebellion to his sin
by making an end of justice among us
and insulting God with abusive words.”
Footnotes
- Job 34:1 Elihu’s thoughts become more spirited. He reaches the heart of the dispute: human suffering in the face of God’s justice.
- Job 34:1 The entire problem lies herein. Elihu mounts a fiery defense of God.
- Job 34:10 Far be it from God to do evil: Elihu is answering a charge that God does evil, which Job in his frustration has intimated; for he has insisted that God is punishing him wrongfully and allowing evildoers to flourish (Job 24:1-12).
- Job 34:31 Exacerbated by his torment, Job has forgotten mercy and, in the view of Elihu, he speaks like a sinner who is entrenched in his rebellion.
- Job 34:35 Job speaks without knowledge: this theme is found also in God’s first response (Job 38:2) and Job’s final response (Job 42:3).
約伯記 34
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
約伯記 34
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
34 以利戶又說：
2 「各位智者，請聽我言；
明達之士，要側耳聽我的話。
3 因為耳朵辨別話語，
正如舌頭品嚐食物。
4 我們來鑒別何為正，
一起來認識何為善。
5 約伯曾說，『我是清白的，
上帝卻奪去我的公道。
6 我雖然有理，卻被認為是撒謊者；
我雖然無過，卻受到致命的創傷。』
7 有誰像約伯？
他肆意嘲諷，
8 與惡者為伍，
同壞人作伴。
9 因為他說，『人取悅上帝毫無益處。』
10 「所以明智的人啊，請聽我言，
上帝絕不會作惡，
全能者絕無不義。
11 祂按人所行的對待人，
照人所做的報應人。
12 上帝絕不會作惡，
全能者不會顛倒是非。
13 誰曾派祂治理大地，
讓祂掌管整個世界呢？
14 上帝若決定收回自己的靈和氣，
15 所有生靈將一同滅亡，
世人也將歸回塵土。
16 「你若明理，請聽我言，
側耳聽我說。
17 憎惡正義的豈可掌權？
你要譴責公義的大能者嗎？
18 祂可以稱君王為廢物，
稱權貴為惡徒。
19 祂不偏袒王侯，
也不輕貧重富，
因為他們都是祂親手造的。
20 他們夜間轉瞬死去，
百姓震顫，繼而消逝，
權貴也被剷除，非藉人手。
21 上帝鑒察世人的道路，
觀看他們的腳步。
22 沒有黑暗和陰影可供作惡者藏身。
23 祂不必再三察驗，
把人召到面前審判。
24 祂擊垮權貴無需審查，
另立他人取而代之。
25 祂知道他們的行為，
祂使他們在夜間傾覆、滅亡。
26 祂當眾擊打他們，
正如擊打惡人。
27 因為他們離棄祂，
無視祂的正道，
28 以致窮人的呼求傳到祂那裡，
祂也聽見了困苦者的呼求。
29 但祂若保持緘默，誰能定祂有罪？
祂若掩起臉來，誰能看得見祂？
個人和國家都靠祂垂顧，
30 以免不敬虔者做王，
禍國殃民。
31 「有誰對上帝說，
『我受了管教，不會再犯罪；
32 我不明白的事，求你指教我；
我若行了惡事，必不再行』？
33 難道因為你拒絕接受，
上帝就要迎合你的要求嗎？
要做抉擇的是你，而非我，
請說說你的高見。
34 明達的人和聽我發言的智者都會說，
35 『約伯所言毫無知識，
他的話沒有智慧。』
36 願約伯被試煉到底，
因為他的回答如惡人之言。
37 他的叛逆使他罪上加罪，
他在我們中間拍手譏笑，
用許多話褻瀆上帝。」
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
New International Version (NIV) 
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