Job 34

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Elihu continued his speech. He said:	1 After proclaiming these things, Eliu now had this to say:
2 And now, you sages, listen to what I say, lend me your ears, you learned men.	2 May the wise hear my words, and may the educated listen to me.
3 The ear distinguishes the value of what is said, just as the palate can tel one food from another.	3 For the ear examines words, and the mouth discerns foods by the taste.
4 Let us consider together God's ruling and decide what we all mean by good.	4 Let us choose judgment for ourselves, and let us consider among ourselves what is best.
5 Job has been saying, 'I am upright and God denies me fair judgement.	5 For Job has said: “I am just, yet God has subverted my judgment.
6 My judge is treating me cruel y, my wound is incurable, for no fault of mine.'	6 For, within my judgment, there is a lie: my vehement barbs are without any sin.”
7 Can anyone else exist like Job, who laps up mockery like water,	7 What man is there that is like Job, who drinks up derision as if it were water,
8 who consorts with evil-doers and marches in step with the wicked?	8 who accompanies those who work iniquity, and who walks with impious men?
9 Did he not say, 'No one derives any benefit from enjoying the society of God'?	9 For he has said, “Man will not please God, even if he should travel with him.”
10 Listen to me then, like intel igent people. Far be evil from God or injustice from Shaddai!	10 Therefore, prudent men, hear me: impiety is far from God, and iniquity is far from the Almighty.
11 For he pays people back for what they do, treating each as his own conduct deserves.	11 For he will restore to man his works, and according to the ways of each, he will repay them.
12 Be sure of it: God never does wrong, Shaddai does not pervert what is just.	12 For truly, God will not condemn in vain, nor will the Almighty repudiate judgment.
13 Did someone else entrust the world to his care was he given charge of the universe by someoneelse?	13 What other is established over the earth? Or whom has he placed over the world, which he made?
14 If he were to recal his spirit, to concentrate his breath back in himself,	14 But, if he directs his heart towards him, he will draw his spirit and breath to himself.
15 all flesh would instantly perish and al people would return to dust.	15 All flesh will fail together, and man will return to ashes.
16 If you have any intel igence, listen to this, lend your ear to the sound of my words.	16 Therefore, if you have understanding, hear what is said, and heed the sound of my eloquence.
17 Could an enemy of fair judgement ever govern? Would you dare condemn the Upright One, theAlmighty,	17 Is he that does not love judgment able to be corrected? And how can you so greatly condemn him who is just?
18 who says to a king, 'You are a scoundrel!' and to nobles, 'You are wicked!',	18 He says to the king, “You are an apostate.” He calls commanders impious.
19 who is unimpressed by princes and makes no distinction between rich and poor, since al alike havebeen made by him?	19 He does not accept the reputation of leaders; nor does he recognize the tyrant as he contends against the poor. For all are the work of his hands.
20 They die suddenly, at dead of night, they perish -- these great ones -- and disappear: it costs him noeffort to remove a tyrant.	20 They will die suddenly, and the people will be troubled in the middle of the night, but they will pass through it, and the violent will be taken away without a hand.
21 For his eyes keep watch on human ways, and he observes every step.	21 For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he examines all of their steps.
22 No darkness, no shadow dark as death where wrong-doers can hide!	22 There is no darkness and no shadow of death, where those who work iniquity may be hidden.
23 He serves no writ on anyone, no summons to appear before God's court:	23 For it is no longer within the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
24 he breaks the powerful without enquiry and sets up others in their places.	24 He will break into many innumerable pieces, and he will cause others to stand up in their place.
25 He knows the sort of things they do! He overthrows them at night, to be trampled on.	25 For he knows their works, and, as a result, he will bring the night, and they will be crushed.
26 He beats them like criminals chained up for al to see,	26 Just as the impious do, he has struck them in a place where they can be seen.
27 since they have turned their backs on him, having understood so little of his ways	27 They, as if with great diligence, have withdrawn from him, and they refused to understand all his ways,
28 as to make the cries of the weak rise to him and let him hear the appeal of the afflicted.	28 so that they caused the outcry of the needy to reach him, and he heard the voice of the poor.
29 But if he is stil silent and no one can move him, if he veils his face, so that no one can see him, he istaking pity on nations and individuals,	29 For, when he grants peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hides his face, who is there that can contemplate him, either among the nations, or among all men?
30 is setting some wrong-doer free from the meshes of affliction.	30 He causes a hypocritical man to reign because of the sins of the people.
31 When such a one says to God, 'I was misled, I shal not do wrong any more;	31 Therefore, since I have been speaking about God, I will not prevent you from doing the same.
32 although I have sinned, instruct me; although I did wrong, I will not do it again,'	32 If I have erred, you may teach me; if I have spoken unfairly, I will add no more.
33 in your opinion, should he punish such a one -- you who have rejected his decisions? This is for youto decide -- not for me!- so kindly enlighten us!	33 Does God require this of you because it is displeasing to you? For you were the first to speak, and not I. But if you know something better, speak.
34 Ordinary sensible people, however, wil say to me, and so wil any sage who has been listening tome,	34 Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man listen to me.
35 'Job's words are spoken without any knowledge, what he says shows no intel igence.	35 But Job has been speaking foolishly, and his words contain unsound teaching.
36 Kindly examine him thoroughly, since his answers imply that he is a criminal.	36 My father, let Job be tested even to the end; may you not retreat from a man of iniquity.
37 For to his sin he now adds rebellion, bringing law to an end among us and heaping abuse on God.'	37 For he adds blasphemy on top of his sins; nevertheless, let him be constrained to be among us, and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.