Elihu Confirms God’s Justice 1 Brenton And Elius continued, and said, BSB BSB: Then Elihu continued:
2 Brenton Hear me, ye wise men; hearken, ye that have knowledge. BSB BSB: “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 Brenton For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat. BSB BSB: For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 Brenton Let us choose judgment to ourselves: let us know among ourselves what is right. BSB BSB: Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5 Brenton For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgment. BSB BSB: For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 Brenton And he has erred in my judgment: my wound is severe without unrighteousness of mine . BSB BSB: Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 Brenton What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water? BSB BSB: What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 Brenton saying , I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.BSB BSB: He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 Brenton For thou shouldest not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas there is a visitation on him from the Lord. BSB BSB: For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
10 Brenton Wherefore hear me, ye that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the Almighty. 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 Brenton Yea, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him. BSB BSB: For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12 Brenton And thinkest thou that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgment? BSB BSB: Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13 Brenton And who is he that made the whole world under heaven, and all things therein? BSB BSB: Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 Brenton For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself; BSB BSB: If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 Brenton all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed. BSB BSB: all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 Brenton Take heed lest he rebuke thee : hear this, hearken to the voice of words. BSB BSB: If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 Brenton Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just. BSB BSB: Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 Brenton He is ungodly that says to a king, Thou art a transgressor, that says to princes, O most ungodly one.BSB BSB: who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 Brenton Such a one as would not reverence the face of an honourable man, neither knows how to give honour to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.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 Brenton But it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside from their right . 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 Brenton For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him. BSB BSB: For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 Brenton Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves. BSB BSB: There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23 Brenton For he will not lay upon a man more than right . BSB BSB: For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 Brenton For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number. BSB BSB: He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 Brenton Who discovers their works, and will bring night about upon them , and they shall be brought low. BSB BSB: Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 Brenton And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him. BSB BSB: He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 Brenton Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances, BSB BSB: because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28 Brenton so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor. BSB BSB: They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29 Brenton And he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man also: 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 Brenton causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people. BSB BSB: that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 Brenton For there is one that says to the Mighty One, I have received blessings ; I will not take a pledge: BSB BSB: Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32 Brenton I will see apart from myself: do thou shew me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do so any more. BSB BSB: Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 Brenton Will he take vengeance for it on thee, whereas thou wilt put it far from thee ? for thou shalt choose, and not I; and what thou knowest, speak thou. 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 Brenton Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word. BSB BSB: Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 Brenton But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not uttered with knowledge. BSB BSB: ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 Brenton Howbeit do thou learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish: BSB BSB: If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37 Brenton that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if we speak many words before the Lord. 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.