Elihu Continues
You Men Think You Are Wise
1 Elihu said:
2 You men think you are wise,
but just listen to me!
3 Think about my words,
as you would taste food.
4 Then we can decide the case
and give a just verdict.
5 Job claims he is innocent
and God is guilty
of mistreating him.
6 Job also argues that God
considers him a liar
and that he is suffering severely
in spite of his innocence.
7 But to tell the truth,
Job is shameless!
8 He spends his time with sinners,
9 because he has said,
“It doesn't pay to please God.”
If Any of You Are Smart
10 If any of you are smart,
you will listen and learn
that God All-Powerful
does what is right.
11 God always treats everyone
the way they deserve,
12 and he is never unfair.
13 From the very beginning,
God has been in control
of all the world.
14 If God took back the breath
that he breathed into us,
15 we humans would die
and return to the soil.
16 So be smart and listen!
17 The mighty God is the one
who brings about justice,
and you are condemning him.
18 Indeed, God is the one
who condemns unfair rulers.
19 And God created us all;
he has no favorites,
whether rich or poor.
20 Even powerful rulers die
in the darkness of night
when they least expect it,
just like the rest of us.
God Watches Everything We Do
21 God watches everything we do.
22 No evil person can hide
in the deepest darkness.
23 And so, God doesn't need
to set a time for judgment.
24 Without asking for advice,
God removes mighty leaders
and puts others in their place.
25 He knows what they are like,
and he wipes them out
in the middle of the night.
26 And while others look on,
he punishes them
because they were evil
27 and refused to obey him.
28 The persons they mistreated
had prayed for help,
until God answered
their prayers.
29 When God does nothing,
can any person or nation
find fault with him?
30 But still, he punishes rulers
who abuse their people.
31 Job, you should tell God
that you are guilty
and promise to do better.
32 Then ask him to point out
what you did wrong,
so you won't do it again.
33 Do you make the rules,
or does God?
You have to decide—
I can't do it for you;
now make up your mind.
34 Job, anyone with good sense
can easily see
35 that you are speaking nonsense
and lack good judgment.
36 So I pray for you to suffer
as much as possible
for talking like a sinner.
37 You have rebelled against God,
time after time,
and have even insulted us.
1 Moreouer Elihu answered, and saide, 2 Heare my wordes, ye wise men, and hearken vnto me, ye that haue knowledge. 3 For the eare tryeth the words, as the mouth tasteth meate. 4 Let vs seeke iudgement among vs, and let vs knowe among our selues what is good. 5 For Iob hath saide, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my iudgement. 6 Should I lye in my right? my wound of the arrowe is grieuous without my sinne. 7 What man is like Iob, that drinketh scornfulnesse like water? 8 Which goeth in the companie of them that worke iniquitie, and walketh with wicked men? 9 For he hath saide, It profiteth a man nothing that he should walke with God. 10 Therefore hearken vnto me, ye men of wisedome, God forbid that wickednesse should be in God, and iniquitie in the Almightie. 11 For he will render vnto man according to his worke, and cause euery one to finde according to his way. 12 And certainely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almightie peruert iudgement. 13 Whome hath he appointed ouer the earth beside him selfe? or who hath placed the whole worlde? 14 If he set his heart vpon man, and gather vnto him selfe his spirit and his breath, 15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall returne vnto dust. 16 And if thou hast vnderstanding, heare this and hearken to the voyce of my wordes. 17 Shal he that hateth iudgement, gouerne? and wilt thou iudge him wicked that is most iust? 18 Wilt thou say vnto a King, Thou art wicked? or to princes, Ye are vngodly? 19 How much lesse to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, and regardeth not the rich, more then the poore? for they be all the worke of his handes. 20 They shall die suddenly, and the people shalbe troubled at midnight, and they shall passe foorth and take away the mightie without hand. 21 For his eyes are vpon the wayes of man, and he seeth all his goings. 22 There is no darkenesse nor shadowe of death, that the workers of iniquitie might be hid therein. 23 For he will not lay on man so much, that he should enter into iudgement with God. 24 He shall breake the mightie without seeking, and shall set vp other in their stead. 25 Therefore shall he declare their works: he shall turne the night, and they shalbe destroyed. 26 He striketh them as wicked men in the places of the seers, 27 Because they haue turned backe from him, and would not consider all his wayes: 28 So that they haue caused the voyce of the poore to come vnto him, and he hath heard the cry of the afflicted. 29 And when he giueth quietnesse, who can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who can beholde him, whether it be vpon nations, or vpon a man onely? 30 Because the hypocrite doeth reigne, and because the people are snared. 31 Surely it appertaineth vnto God to say, I haue pardoned, I will not destroy. 32 But if I see not, teach thou me: if I haue done wickedly, I will doe no more. 33 Wil he performe the thing through thee? for thou hast reproued it, because that thou hast chosen, and not I. now speake what thou knowest. 34 Let men of vnderstanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken vnto me. 35 Iob hath not spoken of knowledge, neyther were his wordes according to wisedome. 36 I desire that Iob may be tryed, vnto the ende touching the answeres for wicked men. 37 For he addeth rebellion vnto his sinne: he clappeth his handes among vs, and multiplieth his wordes against God.