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1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
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2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
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3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
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4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
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5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
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6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
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7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
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8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
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9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
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10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
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11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
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12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
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13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
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14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
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15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
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16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
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17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
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18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
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19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
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20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
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21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
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22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
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23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
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24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
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25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
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26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
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27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
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28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
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29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
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30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
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31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
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32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
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33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
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34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
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35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
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36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
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37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
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- 1 Then Elihu continued and said,
- 2 “Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who know.
- 3 “For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food.
- 4 “Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good.
- 5 “For Job has said, 'I am righteous, But God has taken away my right;
- 6 Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
- 7 “What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision 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 When he is pleased with God.'
- 10 “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong.
- 11 “For He pays a man according to his work, And makes him find it according to his way.
- 12 “Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice.
- 13 “Who gave Him authority over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole world?
- 14 “If He should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath,
- 15 All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.
- 16 “But if you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.
- 17 “Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One,
- 18 Who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' To nobles, 'Wicked ones';
- 19 Who shows no partiality to princes Nor regards the rich above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands?
- 20 “In a moment they die, and at midnight People are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without a hand.
- 21 “For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.
- 22 “There is no darkness or deep shadow Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
- 23 “For He does not need to consider a man further, 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, And He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed.
- 26 “He strikes them like the wicked In a public place,
- 27 Because they turned aside from following Him, And had no regard for any of His ways;
- 28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, And that He might hear the cry of the afflicted—
- 29 When He keeps quiet, who then can condemn? And when He hides His face, who then can behold Him, That is, in regard to both nation and man?—
- 30 So that godless men would not rule Nor be snares of the people.
- 31 “For has anyone said to God, 'I have borne chastisement; I will not offend anymore;
- 32 Teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will not do it again'?
- 33 “Shall He recompense on your terms, because you have rejected it? For you must choose, and not I; Therefore declare what you know.
- 34 “Men of understanding will say to me, And a wise man who hears me,
- 35 'Job speaks without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.
- 36 'Job ought to be tried to the limit, Because he answers like wicked men.
- 37 'For he adds rebellion to his sin; He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God.'”
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