Chapter 34

¹And Eliu continued his discourse, and said : ²Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me : ³For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste. ⁴Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best. ⁵For Job hath said : I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment. ⁶For in judging me there is a lie : my arrow is violent without any sin. ⁷What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? ⁸Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men? ⁹For he hath said : Man shall not please God, although he run with him. ¹⁰Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me : far from god be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty. ¹¹For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them. ¹²For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. ¹³What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made? ¹⁴If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself. ¹⁵All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes. ¹⁶If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words. ¹⁷Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him that is just? ¹⁸Who saith to the king : Thou art an apostate : who calleth rulers ungodly? ¹⁹Who 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. ²⁰They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they shall pass, and take away the violent without hand. ²¹For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps. ²²There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity. ²³For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God. ²⁴He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand in their stead. ²⁵For he knoweth their works : and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed. ²⁶He hath struck them, as being wicked, in open sight. ²⁷Who as it were on purpose have revolted from him, and would not understand all his ways : ²⁸So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice of the poor. ²⁹For 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? ³⁰Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people? ³¹Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn. ³²If I have erred, teach thou me : if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more. ³³Doth 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. ³⁴Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me. ³⁵But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline. ³⁶My father, let Job be tried even to the end : cease not from the man of iniquity. ³⁷Because 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.