Skip to content- 1Verse 1. Then Elihu continued:
- 2Verse 2. “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
- 3Verse 3. For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
- 4Verse 4. Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
- 5Verse 5. For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
- 6Verse 6. Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
- 7Verse 7. What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
- 8Verse 8. He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
- 9Verse 9. For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
- 10Verse 10. Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
- 11Verse 11. For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
- 12Verse 12. Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
- 13Verse 13. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
- 14Verse 14. If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
- 15Verse 15. all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
- 16Verse 16. If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
- 17Verse 17. Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
- 18Verse 18. who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
- 19Verse 19. who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
- 20Verse 20. They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
- 21Verse 21. For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
- 22Verse 22. There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
- 23Verse 23. For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
- 24Verse 24. He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
- 25Verse 25. Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
- 26Verse 26. He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
- 27Verse 27. because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
- 28Verse 28. They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
- 29Verse 29. But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,
- 30Verse 30. that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
- 31Verse 31. Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
- 32Verse 32. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
- 33Verse 33. Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
- 34Verse 34. Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
- 35Verse 35. ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
- 36Verse 36. If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
- 37Verse 37. For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”