Job 34–35

Chapter 34

And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:

²Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:

³For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.

⁴Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.

⁵For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.

⁶For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.

⁷What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

⁸Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?

⁹For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.

¹⁰Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.

¹¹For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.

¹²For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

¹³What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?

¹⁴If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.

¹⁵All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.

¹⁶If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.

¹⁷Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?

¹⁸Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly:

¹⁹Who accepteth not the persons of princes: nor hath regarded the tyrant, when he contended against the poor man: for all are the work of his hands.

²⁰They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.

²¹For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.

²²There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.

²³For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.

²⁴He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.

²⁵For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.

²⁶He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.

²⁷Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways:

²⁸So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.

²⁹For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?

³⁰Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?

³¹Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.

³²If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.

³³Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou begannest to speak, and not I: but if thou know any thing better, speak.

³⁴Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.

³⁵But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.

³⁶My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity.

³⁷Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.

Chapter 35

Moreover Eliu spoke these words:

²Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God?

³For thou saidst: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?

⁴Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.

⁵Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.

⁶If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? and if thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him?

⁷And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?

⁸Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.

⁹By reason of the multitude of oppressors they shall cry out: and shall wail for the violence of the arm of tyrants.

¹⁰And he hath not said: Where is God, who made me, who hath given songs in the night?

¹¹Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and instructeth us more than the fowls of the air.

¹²There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men.

¹³God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.

¹⁴Yea, when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him.

¹⁵For he doth not now bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.

¹⁶Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.