Job 34:18
New International Version
Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

New Living Translation
For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’

English Standard Version
who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’

Berean Standard Bible
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

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

New King James Version
Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’?

New American Standard Bible
Who says to a king, ‘You worthless one,’ To nobles, ‘You wicked one’;

NASB 1995
Who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’

NASB 1977
Who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’;

Legacy Standard Bible
Who says to a king, ‘Vile one,’ To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’;

Amplified Bible
“God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’ Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’?

Christian Standard Bible
who says to a king, “Worthless man! ” and to nobles, “Wicked men! ”?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who says to a king, “Worthless man!” and to nobles, “Wicked men!"?

American Standard Version
Him that saith to a king, Thou art vile, Or to nobles, Ye are wicked;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He who says evil about a King, a King of Rulers, a King of Governors

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He is ungodly that says to a king, Thou art a transgressor, that says to princes, O most ungodly one.

Contemporary English Version
Indeed, God is the one who condemns unfair rulers.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Who saith to the king : Thou art an apostate : who calleth rulers ungodly?

English Revised Version
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art vile? or to nobles, Ye are wicked?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Should anyone [even] say to a king, 'You good-for-nothing scoundrel!' or to nobles, 'You wicked people!'

Good News Translation
God condemns kings and rulers when they are worthless or wicked.

International Standard Version
Can one say to a king, 'You're vile!' or to nobles, 'You're wicked!'?

JPS Tanakh 1917
Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'? Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'?--

Literal Standard Version
Who has said to a king, Worthless, | To princes, Wicked?

Majority Standard Bible
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

New American Bible
Who says to a king, “You are worthless!” and to nobles, “You are wicked!”

NET Bible
who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,'

New Revised Standard Version
who says to a king, ‘You scoundrel!’ and to princes, ‘You wicked men!’;

New Heart English Bible
Who says to a king, 'Vile.' or to nobles, 'Wicked.'?

Webster's Bible Translation
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

World English Bible
who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?

Young's Literal Translation
Who hath said to a king -- 'Worthless,' Unto princes -- 'Wicked?'

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Confirms God's Justice
17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, 18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ 19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.…

Cross References
Job 34:17
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

Job 34:19
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.


Treasury of Scripture

Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?

Exodus 22:28
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Proverbs 17:26
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

Acts 23:3,5
Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? …

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Base Belial Evil-Doer Fit Kings Nobles Ones Princes Rulers Sinners Ungodly Vile Wicked Worthless
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Base Belial Evil-Doer Fit Kings Nobles Ones Princes Rulers Sinners Ungodly Vile Wicked Worthless
Job 34
1. Elihu accuses Job for charging God with injustice
10. God omnipotent cannot be unjust
31. Man must humble himself unto God
34. Elihu reproves Job














(18) Is it fit to say to a king?--The argument is from the less to the greater. "Who could challenge a king or princes? and if not a king, how much less the King of kings?" There is a strong ellipse in the Hebrew, but yet one that is naturally supplied. (Comp. Psalm 137:5.)

Verse 18. - Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? Would any subject of an earthly king deem it fitting to accuse his sovereign of wicked and unjust conduct? Would he even tax those who stood next to the king - the princes and great officers of the court - with ungodliness? If a sense of what is becoming and seemly would restrain a man from the use of language of this sort towards his earthly ruler, can it be right that he should allow himself in such liberty or speech towards his heavenly King, his absolute Lord and Master? Job had not really used such language of God, though the complaints which he had made with respect to God's treatment of him might not unreasonably be held to imply some such accusation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
who says
הַאֲמֹ֣ר (ha·’ă·mōr)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to kings,
לְמֶ֣לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

‘[You are] worthless!’
בְּלִיָּ֑עַל (bə·lî·yā·‘al)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1100: Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness

and to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

nobles,
נְדִיבִֽים׃ (nə·ḏî·ḇîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 5081: Voluntary, generous, magnanimous, a grandee

‘[You are] wicked,’
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person


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OT Poetry: Job 34:18 Who says to a king 'Vile! (Jb)
Job 34:17
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