New International Version NIV
The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
1 Then Elihu said:
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Elihu continued speaking:
2 “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
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"Hear my words, you sages! Listen to me, you who know so much!
3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
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For the ear tests words, just as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
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Let's choose for ourselves what is just; let's decide among ourselves what is good.
5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
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For Iyov says, 'I am in the right, but God is denying me justice.
6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
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Against justice, I am considered a liar; my wound is mortal, though I committed no crime.'
7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
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"Is there a man like Iyov, who drinks in scoffing like water,
8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
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who keeps company with evildoers and goes with wicked men,
9 For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
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since he thinks, 'It profits a person nothing to be in accord with God'?
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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"So listen to me, you men with sense! Far be it from God to do anything wicked!
11 He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
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For he pays people back for what they do and sees that each gets what his conduct deserves.
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
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It is certain that God does nothing wicked; Shaddai will not pervert justice.
13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
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Did someone else put him in charge of the earth? Who else established the entire world?
14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
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If he were to take back man's heart to himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and breath;
15 all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
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all flesh would instantly perish, everyone would return to dust.
16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
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"If you have any sense, [Iyov,] hear this; listen to what I am saying.
17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
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Should a hater of justice be in control? If you wouldn't tell a king, 'You're a scoundrel!'or nobles, 'You are wicked men!'then you shouldn't condemn the Just and Mighty One,
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 and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
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who is neither partial toward princes nor favors the rich over the poor, since they all are the work of his hands.
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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They may die in a moment, in the middle of the night -the people are shaken and pass away, the mighty are removed without human hands.
21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
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For he keeps watch on a person's ways; he sees his every step.
22 There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
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There is no darkness, no death-like gloom, where wrongdoers can hide;
23 God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment.
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for he doesn't give warning to people when they must appear before God in judgment.
24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
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He shatters the mighty without needing to investigate and sets up others in their place.
25 Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
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Therefore, aware of what they are doing, he overturns them by night, and they are crushed.
26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
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He strikes them as if they were common criminals in the open sight of others,
27 because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
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because they turned away from following him and gave no thought to any of his ways,
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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thereby bringing before him the cries of the poor; and he hears the cries of the oppressed.
29 But 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,
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"But if God is silent, who can accuse him; if he hides his face, who can see him? He may do this to nations and persons alike,
30 to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
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so that godless men will not become kings, and the people will not be lured into traps.
31 “Suppose someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.
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"For has anyone said to God, 'I have been chastised without having offended;
32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’
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teach me what I have failed to see; and if I have done wrong, I will do it no more'?
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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Must his rewards meet your approval? Well, you are the one who doesn't like them, so you, not I, should pick the alternative; come on, say what you think!
34 “Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
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Intelligent people will tell me, every wise man who hears me will say,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
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'Iyov is speaking without thinking; his words lack discernment.'
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
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"I wish Iyov would be kept on trial forever, because he answers like wicked men.
37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
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For now to his sin he adds rebellion; he [mockingly] claps his hands among us and keeps adding to his words against God."
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.