Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1Then Elihu continued, saying:

1Then Elihu answered and said:

2Hear my words, you wise ones, and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.

2“Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;

3Doesn't the ear test words as the palate tastes food?

3for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.

4Let us judge for ourselves what is right; let us decide together what is good.

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

5For Job has declared, "I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

5For Job has said, ‘I am in the right, and God has taken away my right;

6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression."

6in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

7What man is like Job? He drinks derision like water.

7What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,

8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

8who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?

9For he has said, "A man gains nothing when he becomes God's friend."

9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’

10Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. It is impossible for God to do wrong, and for the Almighty to act unjustly.

10“Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.

11For he repays a person according to his deeds, and he gives him what his conduct deserves.

11For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.

12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

12Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.

13Who gave him authority over the earth? Who put him in charge of the entire world?

13Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world?

14If he put his mind to it and withdrew the spirit and breath he gave,

14If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,

15every living thing would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

15all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I have to say.

16“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

17Could one who hates justice govern the world? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,

17Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,

18who says to a king, "Worthless man!" and to nobles, "Wicked men!"?

18who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’

19God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands.

19who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

20They die suddenly in the middle of the night; people shudder, then pass away. Even the mighty are removed without effort.

20In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.

21For his eyes watch over a man's ways, and he observes all his steps.

21“For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.

22There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide.

22There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.

23God does not need to examine a person further, that one should approach him in court.

23For God has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

24He shatters the mighty without an investigation and sets others in their place.

24He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place.

25Therefore, he recognizes their deeds and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed.

25Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.

26In full view of the public, he strikes them for their wickedness,

26He strikes them for their wickedness in a place for all to see,

27because they turned aside from following him and did not understand any of his ways

27because they turned aside from following him and had no regard for any of his ways,

28but caused the poor to cry out to him, and he heard the outcry of the needy.

28so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted—

29But when God is silent, who can declare him guilty? When he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he watches over both individuals and nations,

29When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?—

30so that godless men should not rule or ensnare the people.

30that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.

31Suppose someone says to God, "I have endured my punishment; I will no longer act wickedly.

31“For has anyone said to God, ‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;

32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I won't do it again."

32teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

33Should God repay you on your terms when you have rejected his? You must choose, not I! So declare what you know.

33Will he then make repayment to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.

34Reasonable men will say to me, along with the wise men who hear me,

34Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:

35"Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight."

35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.’

36If only Job were tested to the limit, because his answers are like those of wicked men.

36Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.

37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he scornfully claps in our presence, while multiplying his words against God.

37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.