| Revised Standard Version (RSV) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Then Eli'hu said:
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1 Then Elihu said:
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2 "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;
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2 "Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
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3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
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3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
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4 Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.
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4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
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5 For Job has said, 'I am innocent, and God has taken away my right;
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5 "Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
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6 in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
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6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'
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7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,
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7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
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8 who goes in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?
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8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with wicked men.
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9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.'
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9 For he says, 'It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.'
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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.
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10 "So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
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11 For according to the work of a man he will requite him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.
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11 He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.
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12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
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12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
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13 Who gave him charge over the earth and who laid on him the whole world?
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13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
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14 If he should take back his spirit to himself, and gather to himself his breath,
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14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
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15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.
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15 all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust.
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16 "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
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16 "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
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17 Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
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17 Can he who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
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18 who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked man';
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18 Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,'
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19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
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19 who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
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20 In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
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20 They 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.
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21 "For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.
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21 "His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step.
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22 There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.
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22 There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide.
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23 For he has not appointed a time for any man to go before God in judgment.
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23 God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before him for judgment.
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24 He shatters the mighty without investigation, and sets others in their place.
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24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
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25 Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
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25 Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
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26 He strikes them for their wickedness in the sight of men,
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26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
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27 because they turned aside from following him, and had no regard for any of his ways,
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27 because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
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28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted--
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28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
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29 When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man? --
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29 But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike,
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30 that a godless man should not reign, that he should not ensnare the people.
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30 to keep a godless man from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
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31 "For has any one said to God, 'I have borne chastisement; I will not offend any more;
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31 "Suppose a man says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more.
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32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
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32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'
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33 Will he then make requital to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.
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33 Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
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34 Men of understanding will say to me, and the wise man who hears me will say:
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34 "Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
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35 'Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without insight.'
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35 'Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.'
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36 Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.
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36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
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37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."
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37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."
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| Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version - Holy Bible) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
