JPS - Job - 34

34:1  Moreover Elihu answered and said:

34:2  Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

34:3  For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.

34:4  Let us choose for us that which is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.

34:5  For Job hath said: 'I am righteous, and G-d hath taken away my right;

34:6  Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'

34:7  What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

34:8  Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

34:9  For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing that he should be in accord with G-d.'

34:10  Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from G-d, that He should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that He should commit iniquity.

34:11  For the work of a man will He requite unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

34:12  Yea, of a surety, G-d will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

34:13  Who gave Him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?

34:14  If He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath;

34:15  All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust.

34:16  If now thou hast understanding, hear this; hearken to the voice of my words.

34:17  Shall even one that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty--

34:18  Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'?--

34:19  That respecteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they all are the work of His hands.

34:20  In a moment they die, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away without hand.

34:21  For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He seeth all his goings.

34:22  There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

34:23  For He doth not appoint a time unto any man, when he should go before G-d in judgment.

34:24  He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquisition, and setteth others in their stead.

34:25  Therefore He taketh knowledge of their works; and He overturneth them in the night, so that they are crushed.

34:26  He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

34:27  Because they turned aside from following Him, and would not have regard to any of His ways;

34:28  So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted.

34:29  When He giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when He hideth His face, who then can behold Him? whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man, alike;

34:30  That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people.

34:31  For hath any said unto G-d: 'I have borne chastisement, though I offend not;

34:32  That which I see not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

34:33  Shall His recompense be as thou wilt? For thou loathest it, so that thou must choose, and not I; therefore speak what thou knowest.

34:34  Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me:

34:35  'Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without discernment.'

34:36  Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

34:37  For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against G-d.