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Job 34

Elihu answered again: "Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you who have knowledge. The ear tests words just as the mouth tastes food. Let us choose judgment for ourselves; let us know among ourselves what is good.

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Far be it from God to do wrong

Elihu answered again: "Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you who have knowledge. The ear tests words just as the mouth tastes food. Let us choose judgment for ourselves; let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job has said, 'I am righteous, and God has taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without wrongdoing.' What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water, who goes in company with the workers of wrongdoing and walks with wicked men? For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.' So listen to me, you men of understanding: God would never do evil, and the Almighty would never do wrong. For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert judgment. Who gave him charge over the earth? Who appointed him over the whole world? If he set his heart upon man, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. If you have understanding, hear this; listen to the voice of my words. Will even the one who hates right govern? Will you condemn the one who is most just? Is it fit to say to a king, 'You are wicked,' or to princes, 'You are ungodly'? How much less to him who accepts not the persons of princes nor regards the rich more than the poor? They are all the work of his hands. In a moment they will die, and the people will be troubled at midnight and pass away; the mighty will be taken away without hand. His eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his goings. There is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of wrongdoing can hide themselves. For he will not lay upon man more than is right, that he should enter into judgment with God. He will break mighty men in pieces without number and set others in their place. So he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night so that they are destroyed. He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others, because they turned back from following him and would not consider any of his ways, so that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted. When he gives quietness, who can cause trouble? When he hides his face, who can see him — whether he does it to a nation or to one person? He keeps the hypocrite from reigning, so the people are not trapped. Surely it is right to say to God, 'I have borne correction; I will not offend any more. Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done wrongdoing, I will do it no more.' Should it be according to your mind? He will repay it whether you refuse or choose, not I. So speak what you know. Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen to me. Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."

And Elihu answered: Listen to my words, you wise men. And pay attention to me, you who have knowledge. Because the ear tests words the way the mouth tastes food. Let's choose judgment for ourselves. Let's know among ourselves what's good. Because Job has said: I'm righteous, and God has taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? My wound can't be healed, though there's no stepping over the line. What man is like Job, who drinks sneering like water, who goes in company with the workers of wrongdoing and walks with wicked men? Because he's said: It's no use to a man that he takes delight in God. So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do wrong. Because he'll pay a man back for his work and make every man find according to his ways. Yes, God definitely won't do wickedly, and the Almighty won't twist judgment. Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has set the whole world in order? If he set his heart on man, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would die together, and man would turn back to dust. If you've got understanding, listen to this. Pay attention to the sound of my words. Will the one who hates judgment rule? And will you condemn the one who's most just? Is it right to say to a king: You're wicked? And to leaders: You're ungodly? How much less to the one who doesn't take the side of leaders, or count the rich above the poor? Because they're all the work of his hands. In a moment they'll die, and the people will be troubled at midnight and go past. And the mighty will be taken away without a hand. Because his eyes are on the ways of man, and he sees all his goings. There's no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of wrongdoing can hide themselves. Because he won't lay on man more than what's right, so he'd go into judgment with God. He'll break in pieces mighty men past finding out, and set others in their place. So he knows what they do. And he overturns them in the night, so they're wrecked. He strikes them as wicked men in the sight of others, because they turned back from following him and wouldn't think about any of his ways — so they make the cry of the poor come to him, and he hears the cry of the ones in trouble. When he gives quiet, who can make trouble? And when he hides his face, who can see him — whether it's done against a nation or against a man alike? So the godless man doesn't rule, so the people aren't caught in a snare. It's right to say to God: I've carried what I deserve. I won't do wrong any more. Teach me what I don't see. If I've done wrong, I won't do it again. Should it be according to your mind? He'll pay it back, whether you refuse or whether you choose, and not I. So speak what you know. Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen to me: Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My wish is that Job could be tested right to the end, because of his answers for wicked men. Because he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us and heaps up his words against God.

Furthermore Elihu answered and said, Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. 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. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words. Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? 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. 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. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God. He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted. 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: That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. 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. Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me. Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men. For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

1

Elihu answered again:

Plain English

And Elihu answered:

King James Version, 1611

Furthermore Elihu answered and said,

2

"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you who have knowledge.

Plain English

Listen to my words, you wise men. And pay attention to me, you who have knowledge.

King James Version, 1611

Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

3

The ear tests words just as the mouth tastes food.

Plain English

Because the ear tests words the way the mouth tastes food.

King James Version, 1611

For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

4

Let us choose judgment for ourselves; let us know among ourselves what is good.

Plain English

Let's choose judgment for ourselves. Let's know among ourselves what's good.

King James Version, 1611

Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

5

For Job has said, 'I am righteous, and God has taken away my judgment.

Plain English

Because Job has said: I'm righteous, and God has taken away my judgment.

King James Version, 1611

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, though I am without wrongdoing.'

Plain English

Should I lie against my right? My wound can't be healed, though there's no stepping over the line.

King James Version, 1611

Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.

7

What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water,

Plain English

What man is like Job, who drinks sneering like water,

King James Version, 1611

What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

8

who goes in company with the workers of wrongdoing and walks with wicked men?

King James Version, 1611

Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

9

For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'

Plain English

Because he's said: It's no use to a man that he takes delight in God.

King James Version, 1611

For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

10

So listen to me, you men of understanding: God would never do evil, and the Almighty would never do wrong.

Plain English

So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do wrong.

King James Version, 1611

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 he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Plain English

Because he'll pay a man back for his work and make every man find according to his ways.

King James Version, 1611

For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

12

Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert judgment.

Plain English

Yes, God definitely won't do wickedly, and the Almighty won't twist judgment.

King James Version, 1611

Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

13

Who gave him charge over the earth? Who appointed him over the whole world?

Plain English

Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has set the whole world in order?

King James Version, 1611

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 gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

Plain English

If he set his heart on man, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

King James Version, 1611

If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

15

all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

Plain English

all flesh would die together, and man would turn back to dust.

King James Version, 1611

All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

16

If you have understanding, hear this; listen to the voice of my words.

Plain English

If you've got understanding, listen to this. Pay attention to the sound of my words.

King James Version, 1611

If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

17

Will even the one who hates right govern? Will you condemn the one who is most just?

Plain English

Will the one who hates judgment rule? And will you condemn the one who's most just?

King James Version, 1611

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, 'You are wicked,' or to princes, 'You are ungodly'?

Plain English

Is it right to say to a king: You're wicked? And to leaders: You're ungodly?

King James Version, 1611

Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

19

How much less to him who accepts not the persons of princes nor regards the rich more than the poor? They are all the work of his hands.

Plain English

How much less to the one who doesn't take the side of leaders, or count the rich above the poor? Because they're all the work of his hands.

King James Version, 1611

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 they will die, and the people will be troubled at midnight and pass away; the mighty will be taken away without hand.

Plain English

In a moment they'll die, and the people will be troubled at midnight and go past. And the mighty will be taken away without a hand.

King James Version, 1611

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

His eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.

Plain English

Because his eyes are on the ways of man, and he sees all his goings.

King James Version, 1611

For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

22

There is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of wrongdoing can hide themselves.

Plain English

There's no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of wrongdoing can hide themselves.

King James Version, 1611

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 is right, that he should enter into judgment with God.

Plain English

Because he won't lay on man more than what's right, so he'd go into judgment with God.

King James Version, 1611

For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.

24

He will break mighty men in pieces without number and set others in their place.

Plain English

He'll break in pieces mighty men past finding out, and set others in their place.

King James Version, 1611

He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

25

So he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night so that they are destroyed.

Plain English

So he knows what they do. And he overturns them in the night, so they're wrecked.

King James Version, 1611

Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

26

He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others,

Plain English

He strikes them as wicked men in the sight of others,

King James Version, 1611

He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

27

because they turned back from following him and would not consider any of his ways,

Plain English

because they turned back from following him and wouldn't think about any of his ways —

King James Version, 1611

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 to him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted.

Plain English

so they make the cry of the poor come to him, and he hears the cry of the ones in trouble.

King James Version, 1611

So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

29

When he gives quietness, who can cause trouble? When he hides his face, who can see him — whether he does it to a nation or to one person?

Plain English

When he gives quiet, who can make trouble? And when he hides his face, who can see him — whether it's done against a nation or against a man alike?

King James Version, 1611

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

He keeps the hypocrite from reigning, so the people are not trapped.

Plain English

So the godless man doesn't rule, so the people aren't caught in a snare.

King James Version, 1611

That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

31

Surely it is right to say to God, 'I have borne correction; I will not offend any more.

Plain English

It's right to say to God: I've carried what I deserve. I won't do wrong any more.

King James Version, 1611

Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:

32

Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done wrongdoing, I will do it no more.'

Plain English

Teach me what I don't see. If I've done wrong, I won't do it again.

King James Version, 1611

That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

33

Should it be according to your mind? He will repay it whether you refuse or choose, not I. So speak what you know.

Plain English

Should it be according to your mind? He'll pay it back, whether you refuse or whether you choose, and not I. So speak what you know.

King James Version, 1611

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 listen to me.

Plain English

Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen to me:

King James Version, 1611

Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

35

Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

King James Version, 1611

Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

36

My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for wicked men.

Plain English

My wish is that Job could be tested right to the end, because of his answers for wicked men.

King James Version, 1611

My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.

37

For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."

Plain English

Because he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us and heaps up his words against God.

King James Version, 1611

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.