Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

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].

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

So when Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, saw that these three men were not able to make Job answer, he was miscontent.

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

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.

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge.

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

Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

Should I continue to wait now that they are silent,
now that they stand there and no longer answer?

"Look, my internal organs [are] like unopened wine, like new wineskins it is [ready] to burst open.

Let me not give respect to any man, or give names of honour to any living.

For I don't know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.

And yet, I pray thee, O Job, Hear my speech and to all my words give ear.

Of the uprightness of my heart are my sayings, And knowledge have my lips clearly spoken.

If thou canst, answer me; array thy words before me: take thy stand.

“Behold, I belong to God like you;
I too was formed out of the clay.

“Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
And I have heard the sound of your words, saying:

“Look, let me answer you, in this you are not right or just;
For God is greater and far superior to man.

Why do you put forward your cause against him, saying, He gives no answer to any of my words?

“Indeed God speaks once,
Or twice, yet no one notices it.

in a dream or night vision, when a deep sleep falls on mankind while they sleep on their beds.

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

“Man is also disciplined with pain on his bed,
And with unceasing complaint in his bones,

His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

“If there is an angel as a mediator for him,
One out of a thousand,
To explain to a man what is right for him [that is, how to be in right standing with God],

to show favor to him and to plead, "Deliver him from having to go down to the Pit I know where his ransom is!'

“He sings out to other men,
‘I have sinned and perverted that which was right,
And it was not proper for me!

God certainly does all these things
two or three times to a man

“Pay attention, Job, listen to me;
Keep silent, and I will speak.

If there are words -- answer me, Speak, for I have a desire to justify thee.

If there are not -- hearken thou to me, Keep silent, and I teach thee wisdom.

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

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

Against my right do I lie? Mortal is mine arrow -- without transgression.'

Where is there such one as Job, that drinketh up scornfulness like water?

Now then, you wise, take note; you men of knowledge, give ear to me. Let it be far from God to do evil, and from the Ruler of all to do wrong.

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

If he were to decide to do so, that is, to take back to himself his spirit and breath of life,

If now thou hast understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!

Yea, doth one hating justice govern? Or the Most Just dost thou condemn?

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

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.

In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand.

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

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

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

He strikes them {where the wicked stood}, {where there are onlookers},

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

Insomuch that they have caused the voice of the poor to come unto him, and now he heareth the complaint of such as are in necessity.

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:

so that godless men should not rule
or ensnare the people.

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.

"Men of understanding, speak to me! Are any of you men wise? Then listen to me!

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

Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men.

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

Thinkest thou this to be thy right, Or'sayest thou, My righteousness is more than God's,

After all, you've asked what your benefit will be: "What will I profit from refraining from sin?'

“I will answer you,
And your companions with you.

Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.

If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?

“Your wickedness affects only a man such as you,
And your righteousness affects only a son of man [but it cannot affect God, who is sovereign].

Because the hand of the cruel is hard on them, men are making sounds of grief; they are crying out for help because of the arm of the strong.

But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

There they are crying out because of the pride of the evil-doers, but he gives them no answer.

But God will not give ear to what is false, or the Ruler of all take note of it;

“Even though you say that you do not see Him [when missing His righteous judgment on earth],
Yet your case is before Him, and you must wait for Him!

"So now, if he doesn't inflict punishment in his anger, then he doesn't keep track of your many transgressions.

Honour me a little, and I shew thee, That yet for God are words.

For truly my words are not false: One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

His eyes are ever on the upright, and he gives to the crushed 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 if prisoners in fetters They are captured with cords of affliction,

then he declares their work to them, and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.

He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

If they give ear to his voice, and do his word, then he gives them long life, and years full of pleasure.

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

“They die in youth,
And their life ends among the cult prostitutes.

He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction, And openeth their ear in oppression.

Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.

And the judgment of the wicked thou hast fulfilled, Judgment and justice are upheld -- because of fury,

Will thy cry avail, that thou be not in distress, Or all the forces of thy'strength?

Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.

Take care not to be turned to sin, for you have taken evil for your part in place of sorrow.

“Behold, God is exalted in His power;
Who is a ruler or a teacher like Him?

Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

All people are looking on it; man sees it from far.

Yes, God is exalted beyond our knowledge;
the number of His years cannot be counted.

Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

His hands he covereth with lightning, and commandeth it where it is to strike.

“His thundering voice declares [awesomely] His presence;
The cattle also are told of His coming storm.

Give ear to the rolling noise of his voice; to the hollow sound which goes out of his mouth.

God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

“God seals (brings to a standstill, stops) [by severe weather] the hand of every man,
That all men [whom He has made] may know His work [that is, His sovereign power and their subjection to it].

By God's breath, ice is given, and [the] broad waters [are] frozen.