# Chapter 34
1. Elihu further answered and said:

2. "Hear my words, you wise _men;_
Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3. For the ear tests words
As the palate tastes food.

4. Let us choose justice for ourselves;
Let us know among ourselves what _is_ good.

5. "For Job has said, 'I am righteous,
But God has taken away my justice;

6. Should I lie concerning my right?
My wound _is_ incurable, _though I am_ without transgression.'

7. What man _is_ like Job,
_Who_ drinks scorn like water,

8. Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity,
And walks with wicked men?

9. For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing
That he should delight in God.'

10. "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding:
Far be it from God _to do_ wickedness,
And _from_ the Almighty to _commit_ iniquity.

11. For He repays man _according to_ his work,
And makes man to find a reward according to _his_ way.

12. Surely God will never do wickedly,
Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

13. Who gave Him charge over the earth?
Or who appointed _Him over_ the whole world?

14. If He should set His heart on it,
_If_ He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath,

15. All flesh would perish together,
And man would return to dust.

16. "If _you have_ understanding, hear this;
Listen to the sound of my words:

17. Should one who hates justice govern?
Will you condemn _Him who is_ most just?

18. _Is it fitting_ to say to a king, '_You are_ worthless,'
_And_ to nobles, '_You are_ wicked'?

19. Yet He is not partial to princes,
Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor;
For they _are_ all the work of His hands.

20. In a moment they die, in the middle of the night;
The people are shaken and pass away;
The mighty are taken away without a hand.

21. "For His eyes _are_ on the ways of man,
And He sees all his steps.

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

23. For He need not further consider a man,
That he should go before God in judgment.

24. He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry,
And sets others in their place.

25. Therefore He knows their works;
He overthrows _them_ in the night,
And they are crushed.

26. He strikes them as wicked _men_
In the open sight of others,

27. Because they turned back from Him,
And would not consider any of His ways,

28. So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him;
For He hears the cry of the afflicted.

29. When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble?
And when He hides _His_ face, who then can see Him,
Whether _it is_ against a nation or a man alone?--

30. That the hypocrite should not reign,
Lest the people be ensnared.

31. "For has _anyone_ said to God,
'I have borne _chastening;_
I will offend no more;

32. Teach me _what_ I do not see;
If I have done iniquity, I will do no more'?

33. Should He repay _it_ according to your _terms,_
_Just_ because you disavow it?
You must choose, and not I;
Therefore speak what you know.

34. "Men of understanding say to me,
Wise men who listen to me:

35. 'Job speaks without knowledge,
His words _are_ without wisdom.'

36. Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost,
Because _his_ answers _are like_ those of wicked men!

37. For he adds rebellion to his sin;
He claps _his hands_ among us,
And multiplies his words against God."