Elihu Confirms God’s Justice 1 WBS Furthermore Elihu answered and said, BSB BSB: Then Elihu continued:
2 WBS Hear my words, O ye wise men ; and give ear to me, ye that have knowledge. BSB BSB: “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3 WBS For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth food. BSB BSB: For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4 WBS 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 WBS For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. BSB BSB: For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6 WBS 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 WBS 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 WBS Who 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 WBS 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 WBS Therefore hearken to 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 WBS For the work of a man he shall 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 WBS 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 WBS Who hath given 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 WBS If he should set his heart upon man, if he should 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 WBS All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. BSB BSB: all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16 WBS 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 WBS Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? BSB BSB: Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18 WBS Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?BSB BSB: who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19 WBS How much less to him that accepteth 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 WBS In a moment they shall 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 WBS For his eyes are upon the ways of 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 WBS 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 WBS For he will not lay upon 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 WBS 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 WBS Therefore he knoweth 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 WBS He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; BSB BSB: He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27 WBS 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 WBS So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heareth 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 WBS When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth 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 WBS That the hypocrite may not reign, lest the people should be ensnared. BSB BSB: that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31 WBS 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 WBS That which I see not teach thou 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 WBS Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou shalt refuse, or whether thou shalt 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 WBS Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken to me. BSB BSB: Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35 WBS Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom. BSB BSB: ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36 WBS 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 WBS For he addeth rebellion to 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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