Berean Study Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1Then Elihu continued: | 1Then Elihu continued: |
2“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning. | 2“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning. |
3For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. | 3For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. |
4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. | 4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. |
5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice. | 5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice. |
6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ | 6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ |
7What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water? | 7What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water? |
8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. | 8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. |
9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ | 9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ |
10Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. | 10Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. |
11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. | 11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. |
12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. | 12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. |
13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world? | 13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world? |
14If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, | 14If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, |
15all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. | 15all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. |
16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. | 16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. |
17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, | 17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, |
18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ | 18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ |
19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands. | 19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands. |
20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. | 20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. |
21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. | 21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. |
22There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide. | 22There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide. |
23For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment. | 23For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment. |
24He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place. | 24He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place. |
25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. | 25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. |
26He strikes them for their wickedness in full view, | 26He strikes them for their wickedness in full view, |
27because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways. | 27because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways. |
28They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. | 28They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. |
29But 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, | 29But 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, |
30that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people. | 30that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people. |
31Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. | 31Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. |
32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ | 32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ |
33Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know. | 33Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know. |
34Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say: | 34Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say: |
35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ | 35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ |
36If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man. | 36If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man. |
37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.” | 37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.” |
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