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