New International Version NIV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Then Elihu said:
1
Then Elihu continued and said:
2 “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
2
"Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;
3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
3
for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
4
Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.
5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
5
For Job has said, "I am innocent, and God has taken away my right;
6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
6
in spite of being right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
7
Who is there like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,
8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
8
who goes in company with evildoers and walks with the wicked?
9 For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
9
For he has said, "It profits one nothing to take delight in God.'
10 “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
10
"Therefore, hear me, you who have sense, far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.
11 He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
11
For according to their deeds he will repay them, and according to their ways he will make it befall them.
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
12
Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
13
Who gave him charge over the earth and who laid on him the whole world?
14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
14
If he should take back his spirit to himself, and gather to himself his breath,
15 all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
15
all flesh would perish together, and all mortals return to dust.
16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
16
"If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
17
Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn one who is righteous and mighty,
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
18
who says to a king, "You scoundrel!' and to princes, "You wicked men!';
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?
19
who shows no partiality to nobles, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all 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.
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.
21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
21
"For his eyes are upon the ways of mortals, and he sees all their steps.
22 There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
22
There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves.
23 God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment.
23
For he has not appointed a time for anyone to go before God in judgment.
24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
24
He shatters the mighty without investigation, and sets others in their place.
25 Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
25
Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
26
He strikes them for their wickedness while others look on,
27 because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
27
because they turned aside from following him, and had no regard for 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.
28
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted—
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,
29
When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or an individual?—
30 to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
30
so that the godless should not reign, or those who ensnare the people.
31 “Suppose someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.
31
"For has anyone said to God, "I have endured punishment; I will not offend any more;
32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’
32
teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, 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.
33
Will he then pay back to suit you, because you reject it? For you must choose, and not I; therefore declare what you know.
34 “Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
34
Those who have sense will say to me, and the wise who hear me will say,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
35
"Job speaks without knowledge, his words are without insight.'
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
36
Would that Job were tried to the limit, because his answers are those of the wicked.
37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
37
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies 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.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.