1 Moreover Elihu answered and said: 2 Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. 3 For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food. 4 Let us choose for us that which is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 For Job hath said: 'I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right; 6 Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.' 7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? 8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. 9 For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing that he should be in accord with God.' 10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that He should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that He should commit iniquity. 11 For the work of a man will He requite unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. 12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. 13 Who gave Him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world? 14 If He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return unto dust. 16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this; hearken to the voice of my words. 17 Shall even one that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty-- 18 Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'?-- 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. 20 In a moment they die, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away without hand. 21 For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He seeth all his goings. 22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. 23 For He doth not appoint a time unto any man, when he should go before God in judgment. 24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquisition, and setteth others in their stead. 25 Therefore He taketh knowledge of their works; and He overturneth them in the night, so that they are crushed. 26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 27 Because they turned aside from following Him, and would not have regard to any of His ways; 28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted. 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; 30 That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people. 31 For hath any said unto God: 'I have borne chastisement, though I offend not; 32 That which I see not teach Thou me; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'? 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 Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me: 35 Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without discernment.' 36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men. 37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God. | |