Elihu Confirms God’s Justice 1 RV Moreover Elihu answered and said, BSB BSB: Then Elihu continued:
2 RV Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. BSB BSB: “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 RV For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth meat. BSB BSB: For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 RV Let us choose for us that which is right: 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 RV For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my right: BSB BSB: For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 RV Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression. BSB BSB: Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7 RV What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? BSB BSB: What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8 RV Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. BSB BSB: He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9 RV For he hath said, it profiteth 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 RV 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. 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 RV For the work of a man shall he render unto 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 RV Yea, of a surety, 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 RV Who gave him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? BSB BSB: Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14 RV If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; BSB BSB: If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15 RV All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. BSB BSB: all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 RV If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words. BSB BSB: If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17 RV Shall even one that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is just and mighty? BSB BSB: Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 RV Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art vile? or to nobles, Ye are wicked? BSB BSB: who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 RV How much less to him that respecteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth 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 RV In a moment they die, even at midnight; the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are 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 RV For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he seeth all his goings. BSB BSB: For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22 RV 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 RV For he needeth not further to consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment. BSB BSB: For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24 RV He breaketh in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and setteth others in their stead. BSB BSB: He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25 RV Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; and he overturneth 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 RV He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; BSB BSB: He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 RV Because they turned aside from following him, and would not have regard to any of his ways: BSB BSB: because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28 RV So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heard 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 RV 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: 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 RV That the godless man reign not, that there be none to ensnare the people. BSB BSB: that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 RV For hath any said unto 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 RV That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more? BSB BSB: Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 RV Shall his recompence be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? for thou must choose, and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest. 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 RV Men of understanding will say unto me, yea, every wise man that heareth me: BSB BSB: Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 RV Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom. BSB BSB: ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 RV Would that Job were tried unto the end, because of his answering like wicked men. BSB BSB: If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37 RV For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth 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.”
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