1Moreover Elihu answered and said , 2Hear my words , ye wise men ; And give ear unto me , ye that have knowledge . 3For the ear trieth words , As the palate tasteth food. 4Let us choose for us that which is right : Let us know among ourselves what is good .
God's Justice and Sovereignty
5For Job hath said, I am righteous , And God hath taken away my right : 6Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar ; My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression . 7What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water , 8Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity , And walketh with wicked men? 9For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God .
The Nature of God’s Governance
10Therefore hearken unto me , ye men of understanding : Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness , And from the Almighty , that he should commit iniquity . 11For the work of a man will he render unto him , And cause every man to find according to his ways. 12Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly , Neither will the Almighty pervert justice . 13Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world ? 14If he set his heart upon himself , If he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath ; 15All flesh shall perish together , And man shall turn again unto dust .
The Consequences of Sin
16If now thou hast understanding , hear this : Hearken to the voice of my words . 17Shall even one that hateth justice govern ? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous and mighty ?— 18Him that saith to a king , Thou art vile, Or to nobles , Ye are wicked ; 19That respecteth not the persons of princes , Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor ; For they all are the work of his hands . 20In a moment they die , even at midnight ; The people are shaken and pass away , And the mighty are taken away without hand .
The Call to Repentance
21For his eyes are upon the ways of a man , And he seeth all his goings . 22There is no darkness , nor thick gloom , Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves . 23For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment . 24He breaketh in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out , And setteth others in their stead . 25Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works ; And he overturneth them in the night , so that they are destroyed . 26He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others; 27Because they turned aside from following him , And would not have regard in any of his ways : 28So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him , And he heard the cry of the afflicted . 29When he giveth quietness , who then can condemn ? And when he hideth his face , who then can behold him ? Alike whether it be done unto a nation , or unto a man : 30That the godless man reign not , That there be none to ensnare the people .
The Final Appeal
31For hath any said unto God , I have borne chastisement , I will not offend any more : 32That which I see not teach thou me : If I have done iniquity , I will do it no more ? 33Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it ? For thou must choose, and not I : Therefore speak what thou knowest . 34Men of understanding will say unto me , Yea, every wise man that heareth me : 35Job speaketh without knowledge , And his words are without wisdom . 36Would that Job were tried unto the end , Because of his answering like wicked men. 37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin ; He clappeth his hands among us , And multiplieth his words against God.