The Word Am I

The Book of Job

Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 34 -

Elihu proclaims God's righteousness

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

Elihu proclaims God's righteousness

1
Moreover Elihu answered,
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Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
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For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.
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Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
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For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right.
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Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
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What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,
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who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?
9
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’
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Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
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For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
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Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
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Who put him in charge of the earth? Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
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If he set his heart on himself, if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
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all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
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“If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.
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Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty,
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who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
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He doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands.
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In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.
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For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
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There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
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For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
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He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.
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Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
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He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
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because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,
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so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
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When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike,
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that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
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For has any said to God,I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
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Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
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Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.
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Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:
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Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.’
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I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
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For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”