New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
1Then Elihu said: | 1Then Elihu said: |
2“Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge. | 2“Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge. |
3Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’ | 3Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’ |
4So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. | 4So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. |
5For Job also said, ‘I am innocent, but God has taken away my rights. | 5For Job also said, ‘I am innocent, but God has taken away my rights. |
6I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’ | 6I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’ |
7“Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk? | 7“Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk? |
8He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men. | 8He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men. |
9He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’ | 9He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’ |
10“Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin! The Almighty can do no wrong. | 10“Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin! The Almighty can do no wrong. |
11He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve. | 11He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve. |
12Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice. | 12Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice. |
13Did someone else put the world in his care? Who set the whole world in place? | 13Did someone else put the world in his care? Who set the whole world in place? |
14If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, | 14If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, |
15all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust. | 15all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust. |
16“Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say. | 16“Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say. |
17Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge? | 17Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge? |
18For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’ | 18For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’ |
19He doesn’t care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all. | 19He doesn’t care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all. |
20In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. | 20In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. |
21“For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. | 21“For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. |
22No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes. | 22No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes. |
23We don’t set the time when we will come before God in judgment. | 23We don’t set the time when we will come before God in judgment. |
24He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he sets up others in their place. | 24He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he sets up others in their place. |
25He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them. | 25He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them. |
26He strikes them down because they are wicked, doing it openly for all to see. | 26He strikes them down because they are wicked, doing it openly for all to see. |
27For they turned away from following him. They have no respect for any of his ways. | 27For they turned away from following him. They have no respect for any of his ways. |
28They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy. | 28They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy. |
29But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation. | 29But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation. |
30He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people. | 30He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people. |
31“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’? | 31“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’? |
32Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’? | 32Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’? |
33“Must God tailor his justice to your demands? But you have rejected him! The choice is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us. | 33“Must God tailor his justice to your demands? But you have rejected him! The choice is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us. |
34After all, bright people will tell me, and wise people will hear me say, | 34After all, bright people will tell me, and wise people will hear me say, |
35‘Job speaks out of ignorance; his words lack insight.’ | 35‘Job speaks out of ignorance; his words lack insight.’ |
36Job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked. | 36Job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked. |
37For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against God.” | 37For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against God.” |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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