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Testing Job’s Claims

34 Then Elihu answered:

“Hear my words, you wise men;
    give ear to me, you men of learning.
For the ear tests words
    as the mouth tastes food.
Let us choose for ourselves what is right;
    Let us learn together what is good.

“For Job says, ‘I am righteous,
    but God has deprived me of justice.
Concerning my right, should I lie?
    My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.’
What man is like Job,
    who drinks mockery like water,
who keeps company with evildoers,
    and walks with wicked men?
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.”

35 Then Elihu answered, saying:

“Do you think this is just?
Do you say,
    ‘My righteousness is greater than God’s?’
For you ask, ‘What will it profit you?’
and ‘What do I gain by not sinning?’
I will answer you,
    and your friends with you.
Look up at the heavens and see;
    consider the clouds so high above you.
If you sin, how does it affect Him?
    If your transgressions are many, what do you do to Him?
If you are righteous, what do you give Him,
or what does He receive from your hand?[b]
Your wickedness is for a man like yourself,
    and your righteousness for a son of man.

“Because of a multitude of oppressions, they cry out;
they cry for help because of the power of the mighty.
10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
who gives songs in the night,
11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth,
who makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
12 There they cry out, but He does not answer,
    because of the pride of the wicked.
13 Indeed God does not hear an empty cry;
    Shaddai pays no attention to it.
14 How much less when you say that you do not perceive Him
    that the case is before Him and you must wait for Him.
15 And further, that His anger does not punish
    and that He does not know transgression?
16 So Job opens his mouth with nonsense,
    without knowledge he multiplies words.”

Elihu Magnifies the Almighty

36 Then Elihu said further:

“Be patient with me a bit longer and I will show you
    that there is more to say on God’s behalf.
I get my knowledge from afar;
    I ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
For truly, my words are not false;
    One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

“Indeed, God is mighty, but despises none,
He is mighty in strength of understanding.
He does not keep the wicked alive,
    but gives justice to the afflicted.
He does not take His eyes from the righteous,
but enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.
But if they are bound in chains,
    and held captive by cords of affliction,
then He declares to them their deed
    that they have transgressed arrogantly.
10 And He opens their ear to instruction,
    and commands that they turn from evil.
11 If they obey and serve, they will end their days in prosperity,
    and their years in happiness.
12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword,
    and die without knowledge.

13 “The godless in heart harbor anger,
    they do not cry for help even when He binds them.
14 Their souls die in youth,
    their life ends among cult prostitutes.
15 He delivers the afflicted by his affliction
    and opens their ear in oppression.

16 “And indeed, He will draw you from the mouth of distress,
to a spacious place without constraint, and the comfort of a table full of rich food.
17 But you are full of judgment on the wicked,
    judgment and justice take hold of you!
18 Beware lest wrath entice you with riches;
    or a large bribe turn you aside.
19 Will your wealth sustain you to keep you from distress,
    or even all your mighty efforts?
20 Do not long for the night,
    when people vanish from their places.
21 Be careful, do not turn to iniquity;
    for you have chosen this rather than affliction.

22 “Indeed, God is exalted in His power.
    Who is a teacher like Him?
23 Who has prescribed His way for Him?
    Or said ‘You have done wrong’?
24 Remember to magnify His work,
    of which people have sung.
25 All mankind has seen it;
    people gaze on it from afar.
26 Behold, God is exalted—beyond our knowledge!
    The number of His years is unsearchable.
27 For He draws up the drops of water;
    they distill rain into its mist,
28 which the clouds pour down
    and shower mankind abundantly.
29 Indeed, who can understand the spreading of the clouds,
    and the thunder from His pavilion?

30 “See how He scatters His lightning about Him,
    covering the depths of the sea.
31 For by these, He judges peoples
    and supplies food in abundance.
32 He covers His hands with lightning
    and commands it to strike its target.
33 His thunder declares His presence,
    the cattle also, about what is coming.

Footnotes

  1. Job 34:15 cf. Acts 17:25, 28.
  2. Job 35:7 cf. Rom. 11:35.

34 Then Elihu said:

“Hear my words, you wise men;
    listen to me,(A) you men of learning.
For the ear tests words
    as the tongue tastes food.(B)
Let us discern for ourselves what is right;(C)
    let us learn together what is good.(D)

“Job says, ‘I am innocent,(E)
    but God denies me justice.(F)
Although I am right,
    I am considered a liar;(G)
although I am guiltless,(H)
    his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’(I)
Is there anyone like Job,
    who drinks scorn like water?(J)
He keeps company with evildoers;
    he associates with the wicked.(K)
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)

35 Then Elihu said:

“Do you think this is just?
    You say, ‘I am in the right,(BT) not God.’(BU)
Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me,[b]
    and what do I gain by not sinning?’(BV)

“I would like to reply to you
    and to your friends with you.
Look up at the heavens(BW) and see;
    gaze at the clouds so high above you.(BX)
If you sin, how does that affect him?
    If your sins are many, what does that do to him?(BY)
If you are righteous, what do you give to him,(BZ)
    or what does he receive(CA) from your hand?(CB)
Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself,(CC)
    and your righteousness only other people.(CD)

“People cry out(CE) under a load of oppression;(CF)
    they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.(CG)
10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,(CH)
    who gives songs(CI) in the night,(CJ)
11 who teaches(CK) us(CL) more than he teaches[c] the beasts of the earth
    and makes us wiser than[d] the birds in the sky?’
12 He does not answer(CM) when people cry out
    because of the arrogance(CN) of the wicked.(CO)
13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea;
    the Almighty pays no attention to it.(CP)
14 How much less, then, will he listen
    when you say that you do not see him,(CQ)
that your case(CR) is before him
    and you must wait for him,(CS)
15 and further, that his anger never punishes(CT)
    and he does not take the least notice of wickedness.[e](CU)
16 So Job opens his mouth with empty talk;(CV)
    without knowledge he multiplies words.”(CW)

36 Elihu continued:

“Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
    that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.
I get my knowledge from afar;(CX)
    I will ascribe justice to my Maker.(CY)
Be assured that my words are not false;(CZ)
    one who has perfect knowledge(DA) is with you.(DB)

“God is mighty,(DC) but despises no one;(DD)
    he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.(DE)
He does not keep the wicked alive(DF)
    but gives the afflicted their rights.(DG)
He does not take his eyes off the righteous;(DH)
    he enthrones them with kings(DI)
    and exalts them forever.(DJ)
But if people are bound in chains,(DK)
    held fast by cords of affliction,(DL)
he tells them what they have done—
    that they have sinned arrogantly.(DM)
10 He makes them listen(DN) to correction(DO)
    and commands them to repent of their evil.(DP)
11 If they obey and serve him,(DQ)
    they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity(DR)
    and their years in contentment.(DS)
12 But if they do not listen,
    they will perish by the sword[f](DT)
    and die without knowledge.(DU)

13 “The godless in heart(DV) harbor resentment;(DW)
    even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.(DX)
14 They die in their youth,(DY)
    among male prostitutes of the shrines.(DZ)
15 But those who suffer(EA) he delivers in their suffering;(EB)
    he speaks(EC) to them in their affliction.(ED)

16 “He is wooing(EE) you from the jaws of distress
    to a spacious place(EF) free from restriction,(EG)
    to the comfort of your table(EH) laden with choice food.(EI)
17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;(EJ)
    judgment and justice have taken hold of you.(EK)
18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
    do not let a large bribe(EL) turn you aside.(EM)
19 Would your wealth(EN) or even all your mighty efforts
    sustain you so you would not be in distress?
20 Do not long for the night,(EO)
    to drag people away from their homes.[g]
21 Beware of turning to evil,(EP)
    which you seem to prefer to affliction.(EQ)

22 “God is exalted in his power.(ER)
    Who is a teacher like him?(ES)
23 Who has prescribed his ways(ET) for him,(EU)
    or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?(EV)
24 Remember to extol his work,(EW)
    which people have praised in song.(EX)
25 All humanity has seen it;(EY)
    mortals gaze on it from afar.
26 How great is God—beyond our understanding!(EZ)
    The number of his years is past finding out.(FA)

27 “He draws up the drops of water,(FB)
    which distill as rain to the streams[h];(FC)
28 the clouds pour down their moisture
    and abundant showers(FD) fall on mankind.(FE)
29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,
    how he thunders(FF) from his pavilion?(FG)
30 See how he scatters his lightning(FH) about him,
    bathing the depths of the sea.(FI)
31 This is the way he governs[i] the nations(FJ)
    and provides food(FK) in abundance.(FL)
32 He fills his hands with lightning
    and commands it to strike its mark.(FM)
33 His thunder announces the coming storm;(FN)
    even the cattle make known its approach.[j](FO)

Footnotes

  1. Job 34:14 Or Spirit
  2. Job 35:3 Or you
  3. Job 35:11 Or night, / 11 who teaches us by
  4. Job 35:11 Or us wise by
  5. Job 35:15 Symmachus, Theodotion and Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  6. Job 36:12 Or will cross the river
  7. Job 36:20 The meaning of the Hebrew for verses 18-20 is uncertain.
  8. Job 36:27 Or distill from the mist as rain
  9. Job 36:31 Or nourishes
  10. Job 36:33 Or announces his coming— / the One zealous against evil

Treasures in Jars of Clay

For this reason, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy, we do not lose heart. Instead, we renounced the hidden shameful ways—not walking in deception or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by the open proclamation of the truth. And even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, so they might not see the light of the Good News of the glory of Messiah, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Messiah Yeshua as Lord—and ourselves as your slaves for Yeshua’s sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] is the One who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Messiah.[b]

But we have this treasure in jars of clay,[c] so that the surpassing greatness of the power may be from God and not from ourselves. We are hard pressed in every way, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not in despair; persecuted, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Yeshua, so that the life of Yeshua may also be revealed in our mortal body. 11 For we who live are always being handed over to death for Yeshua’s sake, so that the life of Yeshua may be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3.
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Some mss. say in the face of Messiah Yeshua.
  3. 2 Corinthians 4:7 cf. Job 33:6; Lam. 4:2.

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

Therefore, since through God’s mercy(A) we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.(B) Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways;(C) we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.(D) On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience(E) in the sight of God. And even if our gospel(F) is veiled,(G) it is veiled to those who are perishing.(H) The god(I) of this age(J) has blinded(K) the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ,(L) who is the image of God.(M) For what we preach is not ourselves,(N) but Jesus Christ as Lord,(O) and ourselves as your servants(P) for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a](Q) made his light shine in our hearts(R) to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.(S)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay(T) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God(U) and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side,(V) but not crushed; perplexed,(W) but not in despair; persecuted,(X) but not abandoned;(Y) struck down, but not destroyed.(Z) 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,(AA) so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.(AB) 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,(AC) so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.(AD)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Gen. 1:3

Arise, O God of Our Fathers

Psalm 44

For the music director, a psalm of the sons of Korah, a contemplative song.
We have heard with our ears, O God
—our fathers have told us—
of a work You did in their days, in days of old.
With Your hand You displaced nations, but You planted them.
You afflicted peoples, and You drove them out.
For it was not by their own sword that they took possession of the land,
nor did their own arm save them.
But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face—
    for You favored them.
You are my King, O God—
command victories for Jacob!
Through You we push back our foes.
Through Your Name we trample those rising up against us.
For I do not trust in my bow,
nor can my sword save me.
For You saved us from our oppressors
and put to shame those who hated us.

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Psalm 44[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.[b]

We have heard it with our ears,(A) O God;
    our ancestors have told us(B)
what you did in their days,
    in days long ago.(C)
With your hand you drove out(D) the nations
    and planted(E) our ancestors;
you crushed(F) the peoples
    and made our ancestors flourish.(G)
It was not by their sword(H) that they won the land,
    nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand,(I) your arm,(J)
    and the light(K) of your face, for you loved(L) them.

You are my King(M) and my God,(N)
    who decrees[c] victories(O) for Jacob.
Through you we push back(P) our enemies;
    through your name we trample(Q) our foes.
I put no trust in my bow,(R)
    my sword does not bring me victory;
but you give us victory(S) over our enemies,
    you put our adversaries to shame.(T)
In God we make our boast(U) all day long,(V)
    and we will praise your name forever.[d](W)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 44:1 In Hebrew texts 44:1-26 is numbered 44:2-27.
  2. Psalm 44:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 44:4 Septuagint, Aquila and Syriac; Hebrew King, O God; / command
  4. Psalm 44:8 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

10 Throw out a scoffer and strife will go out,
quarreling and disgrace will cease.
11 One who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious,
will have the king as his friend.

12 The eyes of Adonai guard knowledge, but He undermines
the words of the faithless.

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10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.(A)

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.(B)

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

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