(KJV) Job 34¹

⥃Elihu Confirms God’s Justice

[1] Furthermore Elihu answered and said, [2] Hear my words, O ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.² [3] For the ear³ trieth words, as the mouth⁴ tasteth meat. [4] Let us choose⁵ to us judgment: let us know⁶ among ourselves what [is] good. [5] For Job hath sai⁷d, I am righteous: and God⁸ hath taken away my judgment. [6] Should I⁹ lie against my right? my wound¹⁰ [is] incurable without transgression. [7] What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up scorning like water?¹¹ [8] Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.¹² [9] For he hath said, It¹³ profiteth a man nothing that he should delight¹⁴ himself with God. [10] Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding¹⁵: far¹⁶ be it from God, [that he should do] wickedness; and [from] the Almighty, [that he should commit] iniquity. [11] For the work¹⁷ of a man shall he render unto him, and cause¹⁸ every man to find according to [his] ways. [12] Yea, surely¹⁹ God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert²⁰ judgment. [13] Who hath given²¹ him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world²²? [14] If he set²³ his heart upon man²⁴, [if] he gather²⁵ unto himself his spirit and his breath; [15] All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.²⁶ [16] If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.²⁷ [17] Shall even²⁸ he that hateth right govern²⁹? and wilt³⁰ thou condemn him that is most just? [18] [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly?³¹ [19] [How much less to him] that accepteth³² not the persons of princes³³, nor regardeth³⁴ the rich more than the poor? for they³⁵ all [are] the work of his hands. [20] In a moment³⁶ shall they die, and the people shall be troubled³⁷ at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away³⁸ without³⁹ hand. [21] For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.⁴⁰ [22] [There is] no⁴¹ darkness, nor⁴² shadow of death, where the⁴³ workers of iniquity may hide themselves. [23] For he will⁴⁴ not lay upon man more [than right]; that he⁴⁵ should enter⁴⁶ into judgment with God. [24] He shall break⁴⁷ in pieces mighty men without number⁴⁸, and set⁴⁹ others in their stead. [25] Therefore he knoweth⁵⁰ their works, and he overturneth [them] in the⁵¹ night, so that they are destroyed⁵². [26] He striketh them as wicked men in⁵³ the open sight of others⁵⁴; [27] Because they turned⁵⁵ back from him⁵⁶, and would⁵⁷ not consider any of his ways: [28] So that they⁵⁸ cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he⁵⁹ heareth the cry of the afflicted. [29] When he giveth⁶⁰ quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth⁶¹ [his] face, who then can behold⁶² him? whether⁶³ [it be done] against a nation, or against a man only: [30] That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.⁶⁴ [31] Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:⁶⁵ [32] [That which⁶⁶] I see not teach thou me: if⁶⁷ I have done iniquity, I will do no more. [33] [Should⁶⁸ it be] according to thy mind⁶⁹? he will⁷⁰ recompense it, whether thou refuse⁷¹, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what⁷² thou knowest. [34] Let men of understanding⁷³ tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me. [35] Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom.⁷⁴ [36] My desire [is that] Job may be tried⁷⁵ unto the end because of [his] answers⁷⁶ for wicked men. [37] For he addeth rebellion⁷⁷ unto his sin, he clappeth⁷⁸ [his hands] among us, and multiplieth⁷⁹ his words against God.