Beginning
32 2 Elihu reproveth them of folly. 8 Age maketh not a man wise, but the spirit of God.
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he [a]esteemed himself just.
2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the [b]Buzite, of the family of [c]Ram, was kindled: his wrath, I say, was kindled against Job, because he justified himself [d]more than God.
3 Also his anger was kindled against his three friends, because they could not find an answer, and yet condemned Job.
4 (Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken: for [e]they were more ancient in years than he.)
5 So when Elihu saw, that there was none answer in the mouth of the three men, his wrath was kindled.
6 Therefore Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite answered and said, I am young in years, and ye are ancient: therefore I doubted, and was afraid to show you mine opinion.
7 For I said, The days [f]shall speak, and the multitude of years shall teach wisdom.
8 Surely there is a spirit in man, [g]but the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged always understand judgment.
10 Therefore I say, Hear me and I will show also mine opinion.
11 Behold, I did wait upon your words, and hearkened unto your knowledge, while you sought out [h]reasons.
12 Yea, when I had considered you, lo, there was none of you that reproved Job, nor answered his words:
13 Lest ye should say, We have [i]found wisdom: for God hath cast him down, and no man.
14 Yet hath [j]he not directed his words to me, neither will I answer [k]him by your words.
15 Then they fearing, answered no more, but left off their talk.
16 When I had waited (for they spake not, but stood still and answered no more)
17 Then answered I in my turn, and I showed mine opinion.
18 For I am full of [l]matter, and the spirit within me compelleth me.
19 Behold, my belly is as the wine, which hath no vent, and like the new bottles that burst.
20 Therefore will I speak, that I may take breath: I will open my lips, and will answer.
21 I will not now accept the person of man, [m]neither will I give titles to man.
22 For I may not give [n]titles, lest my Maker should take me away suddenly.
33 5 Elihu accuseth Job of ignorance. 14 He showeth that God hath divers means to instruct man and to draw him from sin. 19, 29 He afflicteth man and suddenly delivereth him. 26 Man being delivered giveth thanks to God.
1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my talk, and hearken unto all my words.
2 Behold now, I have opened my mouth: my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 My words are in the uprightness of mine heart, and my lips shall speak pure knowledge.
4 The [o]Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5 If thou canst give me answer, prepare thyself and stand before me.
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in [p]God’s stead: I am also formed of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not fear thee, neither shall mine hand [q]be heavy upon thee.
8 Doubtless thou hast spoken in mine ears, and I have heard the voice of thy words.
9 I am [r]clean, without sin: I am innocent and there is none iniquity in me.
10 Lo, he hath found occasions against me, and counted me for his enemy.
11 He hath put my feet in the stocks, and looketh narrowly unto all my paths.
12 Behold, in this hast thou not done right: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he doth not [s]give account of all his matters.
14 For God speaketh [t]once or twice, and one seeth it not.
15 In dreams and [u]visions of the night, when sleep falleth upon men, and they sleep upon their beds,
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, even by their corrections, which he [v]had sealed,
17 That he might cause man to turn away from his enterprise, and that he might hide the [w]pride of man,
18 And keep back his soul from the pit, and that his life should not pass by the sword.
19 He is also stricken with sorrow upon his bed, and the grief of his bones is sore,
20 So that his [x]life causeth him to abhor bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh faileth that it cannot be seen, and his bones which were not seen, clatter.
22 So his soul draweth to the grave, and his life [y]to the buriers.
23 If there be a [z]messenger with him, or an interpreter, one of a thousand [aa]to declare unto man his righteousness,
24 Then will he have [ab]mercy upon him, and will say, [ac]Deliver him, that he go not down into the pit: for I have received a reconciliation.
25 Then shall his flesh be [ad]as fresh as a child’s, and shall return as in the days of his youth.
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable unto him, and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his [ae]righteousness.
27 He looketh upon men, and if one say, I have sinned, and [af]perverted righteousness, and it did not profit [ag]me,
28 [ah]He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things will God work [ai]twice or thrice with a man,
30 That he may turn back his soul from the pit, to be illuminated in the light of the living.
31 Mark well, O Job, and hear me: keep silence and I will speak.
32 If there be [aj]matter, answer me, and speak: for I desire to [ak]justify thee.
33 If thou hast not, hear me: hold thy tongue, and I will teach thee wisdom.
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 [al]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 [am]judgment among us, and let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken [an]away my judgment.
6 Should I lie in my [ao]right? my wound of the arrow is [ap]grievous without my sin.
7 What man is like Job, that drinketh [aq]scornfulness like water?
8 Which goeth in the [ar]company of them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
9 For he hath said, It [as]profiteth a man nothing that he should [at]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 [au]he set his heart upon man, and gather unto himself his spirit [av]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, [aw]govern? and wilt thou judge him wicked that is most just?
18 Wilt thou say unto a king, Thou art [ax]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, [ay]and the people shall be troubled at midnight, [az]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 [ba]enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break the mighty without [bb]seeking, and shall set up others in their stead.
25 Therefore shall he declare their [bc]works: he shall turn the [bd]night, and they shall be destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the places of the [be]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 [bf]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 [bg]hypocrite doth reign, and because the people are snared.
31 Surely it appertaineth unto God [bh]to say, I have pardoned, I will not destroy.
32 [bi]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 [bj]thee? for thou hast reproved [bk]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 [bl]tried, unto the end, touching the answers for wicked men.
37 For he [bm]addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
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.