Elihu Confirms God's Justice

1Moreover Elihu answered and said,

2Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

3For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.

4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good!

5For Job hath said, I am righteous, and God hath taken away my judgment:

6Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.

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

8And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

9For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself in God.

10Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness from God, and wrong from the Almighty!

11For a man's work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his] way.

12Yea, surely, God acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.

13Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world?

14If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath,

15All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.

16If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!

17Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?

18Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?

19[How then to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich man more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands.

20In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the strong are taken away without hand.

21For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps.

22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him before God in judgment.

24He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;

25Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.

26He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,

27Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;

28So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

29When he giveth quietness, who then will disturb? and when he hideth [his] face, who shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike;

30That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared.

31For hath he said unto God, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend;

32What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more?

33Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused [his judgment]; for thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest.

34Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me:

35Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence.

36Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of evil men!

37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.