| 1 | Then Elihu said: | |
| 2 | "Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning. | |
| 3 | For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. | |
| 4 | Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. | |
| 5 | "Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice. | |
| 6 | Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.' | |
| 7 | What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water? | |
| 8 | He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with wicked men. | |
| 9 | For he says, 'It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.' | |
| 10 | "So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. | |
| 11 | He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves. | |
| 12 | It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. | |
| 13 | Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? | |
| 14 | If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, | |
| 15 | all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust. | |
| 16 | "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. | |
| 17 | Can he who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One? | |
| 18 | Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,' | |
| 19 | who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? | |
| 20 | They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. | |
| 21 | "His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step. | |
| 22 | There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide. | |
| 23 | God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before him for judgment. | |
| 24 | Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. | |
| 25 | Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. | |
| 26 | He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, | |
| 27 | because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways. | |
| 28 | They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy. | |
| 29 | But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike, | |
| 30 | to keep a godless man from ruling, from laying snares for the people. | |
| 31 | "Suppose a man says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more. | |
| 32 | Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.' | |
| 33 | Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know. | |
| 34 | "Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me, | |
| 35 | 'Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.' | |
| 36 | Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! | |
| 37 | To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God." | |