34:1 Moreover Elihu answered,
34:2 “Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
34:3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
34:4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
34:5 For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
34:6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
34:8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
34:9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’
34:10 “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
34:11 For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
34:12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
34:13 Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?
34:14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
34:15 all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
34:16 “If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
34:17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—
34:18 Who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
34:19 Who doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respects 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. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
34:21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
34:22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
34:23 For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
34:24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
34:25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
34:26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
34:27 because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,
34:28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
34:29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,
34:30 that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
34:31 “For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
34:32 Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
34:33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
34:34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
34:35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
34:36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”
35:1 Moreover Elihu answered,
35:2 “Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’
35:3 That you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’
35:4 I will answer you, and your companions with you.
35:5 Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.
35:6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
35:7 If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
35:8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
35:9 “By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
35:10 But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
35:11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
35:12 There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.
35:13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.
35:14 How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
35:15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance.
35:16 Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”