Job 34

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 And Eliu continued his discourse, and said :	1 Then Elihu continued and said:
2 Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me :	2 Hear, O wise men, my discourse, and you that have knowledge, hear me!
3 For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.	3 For the ear tests words, as the taste does food.
4 Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.	4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn between us what is good.
5 For Job hath said : I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.	5 For Job has said, "I am innocent, but God has taken what is my due.
6 For in judging me there is a lie : my arrow is violent without any sin.	6 Notwithstanding my right I am set at nought; in my wound the arrow rankles, sinless though I am."
7 What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?	7 What man is like Job? He drinks in blasphemies like water,
8 Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?	8 Keeps company with evildoers and goes along with wicked men,
9 For he hath said : Man shall not please God, although he run with him.	9 When he says, "It profits a man nought that he is pleasing to God."
10 Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me : far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.	10 Therefore, men of understanding, hearken to me: far be it from God to do wickedness; far from the Almighty to do wrong!
11 For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.	11 Rather, he requites men for their conduct, and brings home to a man his way of life.
12 For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.	12 Surely, God cannot act wickedly, the Almighty cannot violate justice.
13 What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?	13 Who gave him government over the earth, or who else set all the land in its place?
14 If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.	14 If he were to take back his spirit to himself, withdraw to himself his breath,
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.	15 All flesh would perish together, and man would return to the dust.
16 If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.	16 Now, do you, O Job, hear this! Hearken to the words I speak!
17 Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just?	17 Can an enemy of justice indeed be in control, or will you condemn the supreme Just One,
18 Who saith to the king : Thou art an apostate : who calleth rulers ungodly?	18 Who says to a king, "You are worthless!" and to nobles, "You are wicked!"
19 Who accepteth not the persons of princes : nor hath regarded the tyrant, when he contended against the poor man : for all are the work of his hands.	19 Who neither favors the person of princes, nor respects the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of his hands;
20 They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.	20 in a moment they die, even at midnight. He brings on nobles, and takes them away, removing the powerful without lifting a hand;
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.	21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he beholds all his steps.
22 There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity.	22 There is no darkness so dense that evildoers can hide in it.
23 For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.	23 For he forewarns no man of his time to come before God in judgment.
24 He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead.	24 Without a trial he breaks the mighty, and sets others in their stead,
25 For he knoweth their works : and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed.	25 Therefore he discerns their works; he turns at night and crushes them.
26 He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight.
27 Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways :	27 Because they turned away from him and heeded none of his ways,
28 So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor.	28 But caused the cries of the poor to reach him, so that he heard the plea of the afflicted.
29 For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?	29 If he remains tranquil, who then can condemn? If he hides his face, who then can behold him?
30 Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
31 Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.	31 When anyone says to God, "I was misguided; I will offend no more.
32 If I have erred, teach thou me : if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.	32 Teach me wherein I have sinned; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more,"
33 Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou begannest to speak, and not I. : but if thou know any thing better, speak.	33 Would you then say that God must punish, since you reject what he is doing? It is you who must choose, not I; speak, therefore, what you know.
34 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.	34 Men of understanding will say to me, every wise man who hears my views:
35 But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.	35 "Job speaks without intelligence, and his words are without sense."
36 My father, let Job be tried even to the end : cease not from the man of iniquity.	36 Let Job be tried to the limit, since his answers are those of the impious;
37 Because he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us : and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.	37 For he is adding rebellion to his sin by brushing off our arguments and addressing many words to God.