Job 34
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice
34 Then Elihu continued and said:
2 ‘Hear my words, you wise men,
and give ear to me, you who know;
3 for the ear tests words
as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us choose what is right;
let us determine among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, “I am innocent,
and God has taken away my right;
6 in spite of being right I am counted a liar;
my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.”
7 Who is there like Job,
who drinks up scoffing like water,
8 who goes in company with evildoers
and walks with the wicked?
9 For he has said, “It profits one nothing
to take delight in God.”
10 ‘Therefore, hear me, you who have sense,
far be it from God that he should do wickedness,
and from the Almighty[a] that he should do wrong.
11 For according to their deeds he will repay them,
and according to their ways he will make it befall them.
12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,
and the Almighty[b] will not pervert justice.
13 Who gave him charge over the earth
and who laid on him[c] the whole world?
14 If he should take back his spirit[d] to himself,
and gather to himself his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together,
and all mortals return to dust.
16 ‘If you have understanding, hear this;
listen to what I say.
17 Shall one who hates justice govern?
Will you condemn one who is righteous and mighty,
18 who says to a king, “You scoundrel!”
and to princes, “You wicked men!”;
19 who shows no partiality to nobles,
nor regards the rich more than the poor,
for they are all the work of his hands?
20 In a moment they die;
at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,
and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
21 ‘For his eyes are upon the ways of mortals,
and he sees all their steps.
22 There is no gloom or deep darkness
where evildoers may hide themselves.
23 For he has not appointed a time[e] for anyone
to go before God in judgement.
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation,
and sets others in their place.
25 Thus, knowing their works,
he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness
while others look on,
27 because they turned aside from following him,
and had no regard for any of his ways,
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,
and he heard the cry of the afflicted—
29 When he is quiet, who can condemn?
When he hides his face, who can behold him,
whether it be a nation or an individual?—
30 so that the godless should not reign,
or those who ensnare the people.
31 ‘For has anyone said to God,
“I have endured punishment; I will not offend any more;
32 teach me what I do not see;
if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more”?
33 Will he then pay back to suit you,
because you reject it?
For you must choose, and not I;
therefore declare what you know.[f]
34 Those who have sense will say to me,
and the wise who hear me will say,
35 “Job speaks without knowledge,
his words are without insight.”
36 Would that Job were tried to the limit,
because his answers are those of the wicked.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin;
he claps his hands among us,
and multiplies his words against God.’
Job 34
1599 Geneva Bible
34 5 Elihu chargeth Job, that he called himself righteous. 12 He showeth that God is just in his judgments. 24 God destroyeth the mighty. 30 By him the hypocrite reigneth.
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words, ye [a]wise men, and hearken unto me ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth the words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4 Let us seek [b]judgment among us, and let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken [c]away my judgment.
6 Should I lie in my [d]right? my wound of the arrow is [e]grievous without my sin.
7 What man is like Job, that drinketh [f]scornfulness like water?
8 Which goeth in the [g]company of them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
9 For he hath said, It [h]profiteth a man nothing that he should [i]walk with God.
10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of wisdom, God forbid that wickedness should be in God, and iniquity in the Almighty.
11 For he will render unto man according to his work, and cause everyone to find according to his way.
12 And certainly God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Whom (A)hath he appointed over the earth besides himself? or who hath placed the whole world?
14 If [j]he set his heart upon man, and gather unto himself his spirit [k]and his breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust.
16 And if thou hast understanding, hear this, and hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Shall he that hateth judgment, [l]govern? and wilt thou judge him wicked that is most just?
18 Wilt thou say unto a king, Thou art [m]wicked? or to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, and regardeth not the rich, more than the poor? for they be all the work of his hands.
20 They shall die suddenly, [n]and the people shall be troubled at midnight, [o]and they shall pass forth and take away the mighty 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, that the workers of iniquity might be hid therein.
23 For he will not lay on man so much, that he should [p]enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break the mighty without [q]seeking, and shall set up others in their stead.
25 Therefore shall he declare their [r]works: he shall turn the [s]night, and they shall be destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the places of the [t]seers,
27 Because they have turned back from him, and would not consider all his ways:
28 So that they have caused the voice of the poor to [u]come unto him, and he hath heard the cry of the afflicted.
29 And when he giveth quietness, who can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who can behold him, whether it be upon nations, or upon a man only?
30 Because the [v]hypocrite doth reign, and because the people are snared.
31 Surely it appertaineth unto God [w]to say, I have pardoned, I will not destroy.
32 [x]But if I see not, teach thou me: if I have done wickedly, I will do no more.
33 Will he perform the thing through [y]thee? for thou hast reproved [z]it, because that thou hast chosen, and not I: now speak what thou knowest.
34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35 Job hath not spoken of knowledge, neither were his words according to wisdom.
36 I desire that Job may be [aa]tried, unto the end, touching the answers for wicked men.
37 For he [ab]addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Footnotes
- Job 34:2 Which are esteemed wise of the world.
- Job 34:4 Let us examine the matter uprightly.
- Job 34:5 That is, hath afflicted me without measure.
- Job 34:6 Should I say, I am wicked, being an innocent?
- Job 34:6 I am sorer punished, than my sin deserveth.
- Job 34:7 Which is compelled to receive thy reproach and scorns of many for his foolish words.
- Job 34:8 Meaning, that Job was like to the wicked, because he seemed not to glorify God and submit himself to his judgments.
- Job 34:9 He wresteth Job’s words who said that God’s children are ofttimes punished in this world, and the wicked go free.
- Job 34:9 That is, live godly, as Gen. 5:22.
- Job 34:14 To destroy him.
- Job 34:14 The breath of life which he gave man.
- Job 34:17 If God were not just, how could he govern the world?
- Job 34:18 If man of nature fear to speak evil of such as have power, then much more ought they to be afraid to speak evil of God.
- Job 34:20 When they look not for it.
- Job 34:20 The messengers of visitation that God shall send.
- Job 34:23 God doth not afflict man above measure, so that he should have occasion to contend with him.
- Job 34:24 For all his creatures are at hand to serve him, so that he needeth not to seek for any other army.
- Job 34:25 Make them manifest that they are wicked.
- Job 34:25 Declare the things that were hid.
- Job 34:26 Meaning, openly in the sight of all men.
- Job 34:28 By their cruelty and extortion.
- Job 34:30 When tyrants sit in the throne of justice which under pretence of executing justice are but hypocrites and oppress the people, it is a sign that God hath drawn back his countenance of favor from that place.
- Job 34:31 Only it belongeth to God to moderate his corrections, and not unto man.
- Job 34:32 Thus Elihu speaketh in the person of God, as it were mocking Job, because he would be wiser than God.
- Job 34:33 Will God use thy counsel in doing his works?
- Job 34:33 Thus he speaketh in the person of God, as though Job should choose and refuse affliction at his pleasure.
- Job 34:36 That he may speak as much as he can, that we may answer him and all the wicked that shall use such arguments.
- Job 34:37 He standeth stubbornly in the maintenance of his cause.
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 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.”
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
