Job 34

Elihu Asserts God's Justice 

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                                    1 Elihu continued speaking, and said:                                

                                    1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,                                

                                    1 Then Elihu continued and said,                                

                                    1 Then Elihu continued,(a) saying:                                

                                    1 Elihu continued his discourse and said,                                
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                                    2 "Listen to what I have to say, you wise men! Pay attention to me, you educated people!                                

                                    2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.                                

                                    2 “Hear my words, you wise men,And listen to me, you who know.                                

                                    2 Hear my words, you wise men,and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.                                

                                    2 “Hear my words, you wise men,And listen to me, you who have [so much] knowledge.                                
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                                    3 Since the ear tests words like a palate tastes food,                                

                                    3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.                                

                                    3 “For (A)the ear tests wordsAs the palate tastes food.                                

                                    3 Doesn’t the ear test wordsas the palate tastes food?                                

                                    3 “For the ear puts words to the testAs the palate tastes food.                                
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                                    4 let's choose what's right for us. Let's consider among ourselves what is good."                                

                                    4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.                                

                                    4 “Let us choose for ourselves what is right;Let us know among ourselves what is good.                                

                                    4 Let us judge for ourselves what is right;let us decide together what is good.                                

                                    4 “Let us choose for ourselves that which is right;Let us know among ourselves what is good.                                
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                                    5 Now this is Job's claim: "Even though I'm innocent, God has stopped treating me righteously.                                

                                    5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.                                

                                    5 “For Job has said, ‘(B)I am righteous,But (C)God has taken away my right;                                

                                    5 For Job has declared, “I am righteous,yet God has deprived me of justice.(A)                                

                                    5 “For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent],But God has taken away my right;(A)                                
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                                    6 Have I lied concerning the justice that I deserve? My wound is incurable, though transgression cannot be attributed to me.'                                

                                    6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.                                

                                    6 (a)Should I lie concerning my right?My (b)(D)wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’                                

                                    6 Would I lie about my case?(B)My wound(b) is incurable,though I am without transgression.”                                

                                    6 Although I am right, I am accounted a liar.My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’                                
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                                    7 "What man is like Job, who drinks mockery like water,                                

                                    7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?                                

                                    7 “What man is like Job,Who (E)drinks up derision like water,                                

                                    7 What man is like Job?He drinks derision(C) like water.                                

                                    7 “What man is like Job,Who drinks up derision like water,                                
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                                    8 traffics in those who practice evil, and walks with wicked people?                                

                                    8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.                                

                                    8 Who goes (F)in company with the workers of iniquity,And walks with wicked men?                                

                                    8 He keeps company with evildoersand walks with wicked men.                                

                                    8 Who goes in company with those who do evilAnd walks with wicked men?                                
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                                    9 Because he says, "There's no profit for a man to find joy with God.'"                                

                                    9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.                                

                                    9 “For he has said, ‘(G)It profits a man nothingWhen he (c)is pleased with God.’                                

                                    9 For he has said, “A man gains nothingwhen he becomes God’s friend.”(D)                                

                                    9 “For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothingWhen he takes delight and is pleased with God and obeys Him.’                                
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                                    10 "Therefore you men of understanding, listen to me! Far be it for God to practice wickedness, or the Almighty to do what is wrong,                                

                                    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.                                

                                    10 “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding.Far be it from God to (H)do wickedness,And from the Almighty to do wrong.                                

                                    10 Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding.It is impossible for God to do wrong,and for the Almighty to act unjustly.(E)                                

                                    10 “Therefore hear me, you men of understanding.Far be it from God that He would do wickedness,And from the Almighty to do wrong.                                
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                                    11 because he repays a person for his behavior; and according to a person's conduct, he lets it happen to him.                                

                                    11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.                                

                                    11 “For He pays a man according to (I)his work,And makes (d)him find it according to his way.                                

                                    11 For He repays(F) a person according to his deeds,and He brings his ways on him.                                

                                    11 “For God pays a man according to his work,And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way.                                
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                                    12 Truly, God doesn't practice wickedness, and the Almighty doesn't pervert justice.                                

                                    12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.                                

                                    12 “Surely, (J)God will not act wickedly,And the Almighty will not pervert justice.                                

                                    12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedlyand the Almighty does not pervert justice.(G)                                

                                    12 “Surely God will not act wickedly,Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.                                
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                                    13 Who entrusted the earth to him? Who made him responsible for the entire inhabited world?                                

                                    13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?                                

                                    13 “Who (K)gave Him authority over the earth?And who (L)has laid on Him the whole world?                                

                                    13 Who gave Him authority over the earth?Who put Him in charge of the entire world?(H)                                

                                    13 “Who put God in charge over the earth?And who has laid on Him the whole world?                                
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                                    14 If he were to decide to do so, that is, to take back to himself his spirit and breath of life,                                

                                    14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;                                

                                    14 “If He should (e)determine to do so,If He should (M)gather to Himself His spirit and His breath,                                

                                    14 If He put His mind to itand withdrew the spirit(I) and breath He gave,                                

                                    14 “If God should determine to do so,If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath,                                
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                                    15 every living thing would die all at once, and mankind would return to dust."                                

                                    15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.                                

                                    15 All (N)flesh would perish together,And man would (O)return to dust.                                

                                    15 every living thing would perish togetherand mankind would return to the dust.(J)                                

                                    15 All flesh would perish together,And man would return to dust.(B)                                
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                                    16 If you have understanding, listen to this! Pay attention to what I have to say:                                

                                    16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.                                

                                    16 “But if you have understanding, hear this;Listen to the sound of my words.                                

                                    16 If you have understanding, hear this;listen to what I have to say.                                

                                    16 “If you now have understanding, hear this;Listen to the sound of my words.                                
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                                    17 Can one who hates justice really govern? And if God is righteous and mighty, can you condemn him?                                

                                    17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?                                

                                    17 “Shall (P)one who hates justice rule?And (Q)will you condemn the righteous mighty One,                                

                                    17 Could one who hates justice govern the world?Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,(K)                                

                                    17 “Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern?And will you condemn Him who is just and mighty?                                
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                                    18 Can one say to a king, "You're vile!' or to nobles, "You're wicked!'?                                

                                    18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?                                

                                    18 Who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’;                                

                                    18 who says to a king, “Worthless man!”and to nobles, “Wicked men!”?(L)                                

                                    18 “God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’?                                
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                                    19 Who isn't partial to princes? Who doesn't give preference to the nobles over the poor? Nevertheless, all of them are his handiwork.                                

                                    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.                                

                                    19 Who shows no (R)partiality to princesNor regards the rich above the poor,For they all are the (S)work of His hands?                                

                                    19 God is not partial(M) to princesand does not favor the rich over the poor,for they are all the work of His hands.                                

                                    19 “Who is not partial to princes,Nor does He regard the rich above the poor,For they all are the work of His hands.                                
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                                    20 "They die suddenly, in the middle of the night; people suffer seizures and pass away; even valiant men can be taken away      and not by human hands.                                

                                    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.                                

                                    20 “In a moment they die, and (T)at midnightPeople are shaken and pass away,And (U)the mighty are taken away without a hand.                                

                                    20 They die suddenly in the middle of the night;people shudder, then pass away.Even the mighty are removed without effort.                                

                                    20 “In a moment they die, even at midnightThe people are shaken and pass away,And the powerful are taken away without a [human] hand.                                
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                                    21 Yes, Job, his eyes constantly watch the behavior of human beings; he carefully observes their every step.                                

                                    21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.                                

                                    21 “For (V)His eyes are upon the ways of a man,And He sees all his steps.                                

                                    21 For His eyes watch over a man’s ways,and He observes all his steps.(N)                                

                                    21 “For God’s eyes are on the ways of a man,And He sees all his steps.(C)                                
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                                    22 There's no such thing as darkness to him      not even deep darkness      that can conceal those who practice evil.                                

                                    22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.                                

                                    22 “There is (W)no darkness or deep shadowWhere the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.                                

                                    22 There is no darkness, no deep darkness,where evildoers can hide themselves.(O)                                

                                    22 “There is no darkness nor deep shadowWhere the evildoers may hide themselves.                                
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                                    23 He won't examine mankind further, that they would go before God to judgment.                                

                                    23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.                                

                                    23 “For He does not (X)need to consider a man further,That he should go before God in judgment.                                

                                    23 God does not need to examine a person further,that one should(c) approach Him in court.                                

                                    23 “For He sets no appointed time for a man,That he should appear before Him in judgment.                                
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                                    24 He shatters valiant men without a need to investigate, and he raises others in their place.                                

                                    24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.                                

                                    24 “He breaks in pieces (Y)mighty men without inquiry,And sets others in their place.                                

                                    24 He shatters the mighty without an investigationand sets others in their place.(P)                                

                                    24 “He breaks mighty men without inquiry,And sets others in their place.(D)                                
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                                    25 Thus he acknowledges their behavior, and overcomes them; when night time comes, they are crushed.                                

                                    25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.                                

                                    25 “Therefore He (Z)knows their works,And (AA)He overthrows them in the night,And they are crushed.                                

                                    25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds(Q)and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed.                                

                                    25 “Therefore He knows of their works,And He overthrows them in the night,So that they are crushed and destroyed.                                
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                                    26 "He strikes the wicked among them in a place where they can be seen                                

                                    26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;                                

                                    26 “He (AB)strikes them like the wicked(f)In a public place,                                

                                    26 In full view of the public,(d)He strikes them for their wickedness,                                

                                    26 “He strikes them like the wickedIn a public place,                                
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                                    27 because they've abandoned their pursuit of him and had no respect for any of his ways.                                

                                    27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:                                

                                    27 Because they (AC)turned aside from following Him,And (AD)had no regard for any of His ways;                                

                                    27 because they turned aside from following Himand did not understand any of His ways                                

                                    27 Because they turned aside from following HimAnd would not consider or show regard for any of His ways,(E)                                
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                                    28 As a result, the cries of the poor have reached him and he has heard the cry of the afflicted.                                

                                    28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.                                

                                    28 So that they caused (AE)the cry of the poor to come to Him,And that He might (AF)hear the cry of the afflicted—                                

                                    28 but caused the poor to cry out to Him,and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.(R)                                

                                    28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him,And He heard the cry of the afflicted.(F)                                
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                                    29 "If he remains silent, who will condemn him? If he conceals his face, who can see him? He watches over both nation and individual alike,                                

                                    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:                                

                                    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?—                                

                                    29 But when God is silent, who can declare Him guilty?When He hides His face, who can see Him?Yet He watches over both individuals and nations,                                

                                    29 “When He keeps quiet, who then can condemn?When He hides His face [withdrawing His favor and help], who then can behold Him [and make supplication to Him],Whether it be a nation or a man by himself?—                                
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                                    30 to keep the godless man from reigning or laying a snare for the people."                                

                                    30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.                                

                                    30 So that (AG)godless men would not ruleNor be snares of the people.                                

                                    30 so that godless men should not ruleor ensnare the people.                                

                                    30 So that godless men would not ruleNor be snares for the people.                                
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                                    31 "Has anyone ever really told God, "I've endured, and I won't act corruptly anymore.                                

                                    31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:                                

                                    31 “For has anyone said to God,‘I have borne chastisement;I will not offend anymore;                                

                                    31 Suppose someone says to God,“I have endured my punishment;I will no longer act wickedly.                                

                                    31 “For has anyone said to God,‘I have endured my chastisement;I will not offend anymore;                                
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                                    32 What I don't see, instruct me! If I've done anything evil, I won't repeat it!'                                

                                    32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.                                

                                    32 Teach me what I do not see;If I have (AH)done iniquity,I will not do it again’?                                

                                    32 Teach me what I cannot see;if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”                                

                                    32 Teach me what I do not see [in regard to how I have sinned];If I have done wrong (injustice, unrighteousness),I will not do it again’?                                
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                                    33 "Should you not be paid back, since you have rejected him? You do the choosing! I won't! Tell us what you know!                                

                                    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.                                

                                    33 “Shall He (AI)recompense on your terms, because you have rejected it?For you must choose, and not I;Therefore declare what you know.                                

                                    33 Should God repay you on your termswhen you have rejected His?You must choose, not I!So declare what you know.                                

                                    33 “Shall God’s retribution [for your sins] be on your terms, because you refuse to accept it?For you must do the choosing, and not I;Therefore say what you [truthfully] know.                                
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                                    34 "Men of understanding, speak to me! Are any of you men wise? Then listen to me!                                

                                    34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.                                

                                    34 “Men of understanding will say to me,And a wise man who hears me,                                

                                    34 Reasonable men will say to me,along with the wise men who hear me,                                

                                    34 “Men of understanding will tell me,Indeed, every wise man who hears me [will agree],                                
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                                    35 Job has been speaking from his own ignorance, and what he has to say lacks insight!                                

                                    35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.                                

                                    35 ‘Job (AJ)speaks without knowledge,And his words are without wisdom.                                

                                    35 “Job speaks without knowledge;(S)his words are without insight.”                                

                                    35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge,And his words are without wisdom and insight.                                
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                                    36 Oh, how Job needs to be given a full court trial, as a rebuke to those who practice evil,                                

                                    36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.                                

                                    36 ‘Job ought to be tried (g)to the limit,Because he answers (AK)like wicked men.                                

                                    36 If only Job were tested to the limit,because his answers are like those of wicked men.                                

                                    36 ‘Job ought to be tried (a)to the limitBecause he answers like wicked men!                                
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                                    37 because he has been adding rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and keeps on ranting against God."                                

                                    37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.                                

                                    37 ‘For he adds (AL)rebellion to his sin;He (AM)claps his hands among us,And multiplies his words against God.’”                                

                                    37 For he adds rebellion to his sin;he scornfully claps(T) in our presence,while multiplying(U) his words against God.                                

                                    37 ‘For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his [unacknowledged] sin;He claps his hands among us [in open mockery and contempt of God],And he multiplies his words [of accusation] against God.’”