For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

Is not calamity for the unrighteous? and misfortune for the workers of iniquity?

Let me put seed in the earth for another to have the fruit of it, and let my produce be uprooted.

Let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down upon her.

For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.

But seeing that God will sit in judgment, what shall I do? And for so much as he will needs visit me, what answer shall I give him?

“If I have withheld from the poor what they desired,
Or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain [for relief],

If I kept my food for myself, and did not give some of it to the child with no father;

(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)

If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

If his loins have not thanked and blessed me [for clothing them],
And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

I have not allowed my mouth to sin
by asking for his life with a curse.

If the men of my household have not said, Oh for some of his flesh - we cannot get filled,

No stranger had to spend the night on the street,
for I opened my door to the traveler.

Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?

“Oh, that I had one to listen to me!
Look, here is my signature (mark);
Let the Almighty answer me!
Let my adversary write out His indictment [and put His vague accusations in tangible form].

I'll wear it on my shoulder, or tie it on my head for a crown!

I'll give an account for every step I've taken; I'll approach him confidently like a Commander-in-Chief."

“For if my land has cried out against me,
And its furrows weep together;

If I have eaten its fruits without paying for them,
Or have caused its [rightful] owners to lose their lives,

then let thistles grow instead of my wheat, and thorns for my barley."

And these three men cease from answering Job, for he is righteous in his own eyes,

Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

Elihu’s anger burned against Job’s three friends because they had found no answer [and were unable to determine Job’s error], and yet they had condemned Job and declared him to be in the wrong [and responsible for his own afflictions].

And Elihu hath waited earnestly beside Job with words, for they are older than he in days.

Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite said,

“I am young, and you are aged;
For that reason I was anxious and dared not tell you what I think.

I said to myself, It is right for the old to say what is in their minds, and for those who are far on in years to give out wisdom.

For this, I said, Hear to me; I also will show my knowledge.

Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

And unto you I attend, And lo, there is no reasoner for Job, Or answerer of his sayings among you.

For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.

Fear has overcome them, they have no more answers to give; they have come to an end of words.

When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

I have a good hope for my part to shape him an answer, and to show him my meaning.

For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

“I will not [I warn you] be partial to any man [that is, let my respect for you mitigate what I say];
Nor flatter any man.

For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Lo, I am, according to thy word, for God, From the clay I -- I also, have been formed.

“Behold, I will not make you afraid or terrified of me [for I am only mortal and not God],
Nor should any pressure from me weigh heavily upon you.

I am clean without transgression; I am fair, and no iniquity to me.

Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man.

Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

Then He uncovereth the ear of men, And for their instruction sealeth:

He has no desire for food, and his soul is turned away from delicate meat;

If there be with him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him;

And if he has mercy on him, and says, Let him not go down to the underworld, I have given the price for his life:

He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

“He will sing to men and say,
‘I have sinned and perverted what is right,
And it is not proper for me.

If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

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

Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good.

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

Concerning mine own right, shall I tell a falsehood? Incurable is my disease - not for any transgression.

And he hath travelled for company With workers of iniquity, So as to go with men of wickedness.

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

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.

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

For sure it is, that God condemneth no man wrongfully, and the judgment of the Almighty is not unrighteous.

Who hath inspected for Himself the earth? And who hath placed all the habitable world?

To whom hath he given his heart, for to draw his spirit and breath unto him?

For he is even the same, that knoweth the rebellious kings, and sayeth to princes,

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.

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

There is no darkness nor death-shade, For workers of iniquity to be hidden there;

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

For he has knowledge of their works, overturning them in the night, so that they are crushed.

In full view of the public,
He strikes them for their wickedness,

Because they turned aside from following Him
And would not consider or show regard for any of His ways,

so as to cause the cry of the poor to come to Him, for He hears the cry of the afflicted.

to keep the godless man from reigning or laying a snare for the people."

For hath any said unto God, I have borne chastisement , I will not offend any more :

Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest.

For else the men of understanding and wisdom, that have heard me, might say: 'What canst thou speak?'

As for Job he hath neither spoken to the purpose nor wisely.

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

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

This hast thou reckoned for judgment: Thou hast said -- 'My righteousness is more than God's?'

For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?

If you have done wrong, is he any the worse for it? and if your sins are great in number, what is it to him?

For a man like thyself is thy wickedness, And for a son of man thy righteousness.

By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

For such one never sayeth, 'Where is God that made me? And that shineth upon us, that we might praise him in the night?

How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him!

For Job hath opened his mouth in vanity, and made words abundant without knowledge.

Suffer me a little, and I will show thee; For I have yet somewhat to say on God's behalf.

I will bring my knowledge from far away, and I will ascribe righteousness to my maker,

For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

"Behold, God casteth not away the mighty, for he himself is mighty in power and wisdom.

As for the ungodly, he preserveth them not, but helpeth the poor to their right.

He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.

And he will announce to them their work, and their transgressions, for they will be strong.

And He uncovereth their ear for instruction, And saith that they turn back from iniquity.

But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them.

They come to their end while they are still young, their life is short like that of those who are used for sex purposes in the worship of their gods.

For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.