[34:2] "Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. [34:3] For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food. [34:4] Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good. [34:5] For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right: [34:6] Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.' [34:7] What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water, [34:8] Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men? [34:9] For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.' [34:10] "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. [34:11] For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. [34:12] Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. [34:13] Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world? [34:14] If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath, [34:15] all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. [34:16] "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words. [34:17] Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?-- [34:18] Who says to a king, 'Vile!' or to nobles, 'Wicked!'? [34:19] Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands. [34:20] In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand. [34:21] "For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings. [34:22] There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. [34:23] For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment. [34:24] He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place. [34:25] Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. [34:26] He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; [34:27] because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways, [34:28] so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted. [34:29] When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man, [34:30] that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people. [34:31] "For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more. [34:32] Teach me that which I don't see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'? [34:33] Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know. [34:34] Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me: [34:35] 'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.' [34:36] I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men. [34:37] For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."
[35:1] Moreover Elihu answered,
[35:2] "Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's,' [35:3] That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?' [35:4] I will answer you, and your companions with you. [35:5] Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you. [35:6] If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? [35:7] If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand? [35:8] Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man. [35:9] "By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty. [35:10] But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, [35:11] who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?' [35:12] There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men. [35:13] Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it. [35:14] How much less when you say you don't see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him! [35:15] But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance. [35:16] Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge."
[36:1] Elihu also continued, and said,
[36:2] "Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God's behalf. [36:3] I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. [36:4] For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you. [36:5] "Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding. [36:6] He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right. [36:7] He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted. [36:8] If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions, [36:9] then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. [36:10] He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity. [36:11] If they listen and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. [36:12] But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge. [36:13] "But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them. [36:14] They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean. [36:15] He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression. [36:16] Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness. [36:17] "But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you. [36:18] Don't let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside. [36:19] Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength? [36:20] Don't desire the night, when people are cut off in their place. [36:21] Take heed, don't regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction. [36:22] Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? [36:23] Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?' [36:24] "Remember that you magnify his work, whereof men have sung. [36:25] All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off. [36:26] Behold, God is great, and we don't know him. The number of his years is unsearchable. [36:27] For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor, [36:28] Which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly. [36:29] Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion? [36:30] Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea. [36:31] For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance. [36:32] He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. [36:33] Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.
[37:1] "Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place. [37:2] Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth. [37:3] He sends it forth under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth. [37:4] After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn't hold back anything when his voice is heard. [37:5] God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend. [37:6] For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth;' likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain. [37:7] He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it. [37:8] Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens. [37:9] Out of its chamber comes the storm, and cold out of the north. [37:10] By the breath of God, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen. [37:11] Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning. [37:12] It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world, [37:13] Whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come. [37:14] "Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. [37:15] Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? [37:16] Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? [37:17] You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind? [37:18] Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror? [37:19] Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness. [37:20] Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up? [37:21] Now men don't see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them. [37:22] Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty. [37:23] We can't reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress. [37:24] Therefore men revere him. He doesn't regard any who are wise of heart."
[38:1] Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind,
[38:2] "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? [38:3] Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer me! [38:4] "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. [38:5] Who determined its measures, if you know? Or who stretched the line on it? [38:6] Whereupon were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, [38:7] when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? [38:8] "Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth from the womb, [38:9] when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness, [38:10] marked out for it my bound, set bars and doors, [38:11] and said, 'Here you may come, but no further. Here your proud waves shall be stayed?' [38:12] "Have you commanded the morning in your days, and caused the dawn to know its place; [38:13] that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it? [38:14] It is changed as clay under the seal, and stands forth as a garment. [38:15] From the wicked, their light is withheld. The high arm is broken. [38:16] "Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep? [38:17] Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? [38:18] Have you comprehended the earth in its breadth? Declare, if you know it all. [38:19] "What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for darkness, where is its place, [38:20] that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house? [38:21] Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! [38:22] Have you entered the treasuries of the snow, or have you seen the treasures of the hail, [38:23] which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? [38:24] By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth? [38:25] Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm; [38:26] To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; on the wilderness, in which there is no man; [38:27] to satisfy the waste and desolate ground, to cause the tender grass to spring forth? [38:28] Does the rain have a father? Or who fathers the drops of dew? [38:29] Out of whose womb came the ice? The gray frost of the sky, who has given birth to it? [38:30] The waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen. [38:31] "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loosen the cords of Orion? [38:32] Can you lead forth the constellations in their season? Or can you guide the Bear with her cubs? [38:33] Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you establish its dominion over the earth? [38:34] "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That abundance of waters may cover you? [38:35] Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, 'Here we are?' [38:36] Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind? [38:37] Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky, [38:38] when the dust runs into a mass, and the clods of earth stick together? [38:39] "Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, [38:40] when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket? [38:41] Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?
[39:1] "Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns? [39:2] Can you number the months that they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they give birth? [39:3] They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, they end their labor pains. [39:4] Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go forth, and don't return again. [39:5] "Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey, [39:6] Whose home I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place? [39:7] He scorns the tumult of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver. [39:8] The range of the mountains is his pasture, He searches after every green thing. [39:9] "Will the wild ox be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough? [39:10] Can you hold the wild ox in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you? [39:11] Will you trust him, because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labor? [39:12] Will you confide in him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your threshing floor? [39:13] "The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the feathers and plumage of love? [39:14] For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust, [39:15] and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them. [39:16] She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor is in vain, she is without fear, [39:17] because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding. [39:18] When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider. [39:19] "Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane? [39:20] Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome. [39:21] He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men. [39:22] He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword. [39:23] The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin. [39:24] He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the trumpet. [39:25] As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts, 'Aha!' He smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. [39:26] "Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south? [39:27] Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high? [39:28] On the cliff he dwells, and makes his home, on the point of the cliff, and the stronghold. [39:29] From there he spies out the prey. His eyes see it afar off. [39:30] His young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there he is."
[40:1] Moreover Yahweh answered Job,