Elihu Confirms God’s Justice 1 AKJV Furthermore Elihu answered and said, BSB BSB: Then Elihu continued:
2 AKJV Hear my words, O you wise men; and give ear to me, you that have knowledge. BSB BSB: “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 AKJV For the ear tries words, as the mouth tastes meat. BSB BSB: For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 AKJV Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. BSB BSB: Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 AKJV For Job has said, I am righteous: and God has taken away my judgment. BSB BSB: For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 AKJV Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. BSB BSB: Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 AKJV What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water? BSB BSB: What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 AKJV Which goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men. BSB BSB: He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 AKJV For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. BSB BSB: For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
10 AKJV Therefore listen to me you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. BSB BSB: Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
11 AKJV For the work of a man shall he render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. BSB BSB: For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12 AKJV Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. BSB BSB: Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 AKJV Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed the whole world? BSB BSB: Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 AKJV If he set his heart on man, if he gather to himself his spirit and his breath; BSB BSB: If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 AKJV All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again to dust. BSB BSB: all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 AKJV If now you have understanding, hear this: listen to the voice of my words. BSB BSB: If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 AKJV Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just? BSB BSB: Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 AKJV Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly? BSB BSB: who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 AKJV How much less to him that accepts not the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands. BSB BSB: who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
20 AKJV In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. BSB BSB: They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
21 AKJV For his eyes are on the ways of man, and he sees all his goings. BSB BSB: For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 AKJV There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. BSB BSB: There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 AKJV For he will not lay on man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God. BSB BSB: For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 AKJV He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. BSB BSB: He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 AKJV Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. BSB BSB: Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 AKJV He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; BSB BSB: He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 AKJV Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: BSB BSB: because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28 AKJV So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted. BSB BSB: They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29 AKJV When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: BSB BSB: 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,
30 AKJV That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. BSB BSB: that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 AKJV Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: BSB BSB: Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 AKJV That which I see not teach you me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. BSB BSB: Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 AKJV Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I: therefore speak what you know. BSB BSB: Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
34 AKJV Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen to me. BSB BSB: Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 AKJV Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. BSB BSB: ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 AKJV My desire is that Job may be tried to the end because of his answers for wicked men. BSB BSB: If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37 AKJV For he adds rebellion to his sin, he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God. BSB BSB: For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.