| Holman Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
| 1Then Elihu continued, saying: | 1Then Elihu said: |
| 2Hear my words, you wise men, and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones. | 2"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning. |
| 3Doesn't the ear test words as the palate tastes food? | 3For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. |
| 4Let us judge for ourselves what is right; let us decide together what is good. | 4Let us discern 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. | 5"Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice. |
| 6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression." | 6Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.' |
| 7What man is like Job? He drinks derision like water. | 7Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water? |
| 8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. | 8He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked. |
| 9For he has said, "A man gains nothing when he becomes God's friend." | 9For he says, 'There is no profit in trying to please 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"So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. |
| 11For He repays a person according to his deeds, and He brings his ways on him. | 11He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves. |
| 12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice. | 12It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. |
| 13Who gave Him authority over the earth? Who put Him in charge of the entire world? | 13Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? |
| 14If He put His mind to it and withdrew the spirit and breath He gave, | 14If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, |
| 15every living thing would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. | 15all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the 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, | 17Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One? |
| 18who says to a king, "Worthless man!" and to nobles, "Wicked men!"? | 18Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,' |
| 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 and does not favor the rich over 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. | 20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. |
| 21For His eyes watch over a man's ways, and He observes all his steps. | 21"His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. |
| 22There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves. | 22There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide. |
| 23God does not need to examine a person further, that one should approach Him in court. | 23God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment. |
| 24He shatters the mighty without an investigation and sets others in their place. | 24Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. |
| 25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed. | 25Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. |
| 26In full view of the public, He strikes them for their wickedness, | 26He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, |
| 27because they turned aside from following Him and did not understand any of His ways | 27because they turned 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 afflicted. | 28They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy. |
| 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, | 29But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike, |
| 30so that godless men should not rule or ensnare the people. | 30to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people. |
| 31Suppose someone says to God, "I have endured my punishment; I will no longer act wickedly. | 31"Suppose someone says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more. |
| 32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I won't do it again." | 32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.' |
| 33Should God repay you on your terms when you have rejected His? You must choose, not I! So declare what you know. | 33Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know. |
| 34Reasonable men will say to me, along with the wise men who hear me, | 34"Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me, |
| 35"Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight." | 35Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.' |
| 36If only Job were tested to the limit, because his answers are like those of wicked men. | 36Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! |
| 37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he scornfully claps in our presence, while multiplying his words against God. | 37To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God." |
| Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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