32:21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man"s person, neither let me give flattering t.i.tles unto man.
32:22 For I know not to give flattering t.i.tles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
33:1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
33:2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
33:4 The spirit of G.o.d hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
33:5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
33:6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in G.o.d"s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
33:8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 33:9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
33:10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 33:11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that G.o.d is greater than man.
33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
33:14 For G.o.d speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
33:19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the mult.i.tude of his bones with strong pain: 33:20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
33:21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
33:22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
33:23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child"s: he shall return to the days of his youth: 33:26 He shall pray unto G.o.d, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
33:27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
33:29 Lo, all these things worketh G.o.d oftentimes with man, 33:30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
33:31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
33:32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33:33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
34:1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said, 34:2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
34:3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
34:4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
34:5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and G.o.d hath taken away my judgment.
34:6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
34:7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? 34:8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
34:9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with G.o.d.
34:10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from G.o.d, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
34:11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
34:12 Yea, surely G.o.d will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
34:13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? 34:14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 34:15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
34:16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
34:17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? 34:18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are unG.o.dly? 34:19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
34:20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pa.s.s away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
34:21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
34:22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
34:23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with G.o.d.
34:24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
34:25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 34:27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: 34:28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
34:29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: 34:30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
34:31 Surely it is meet to be said unto G.o.d, I have borne chastis.e.m.e.nt, I will not offend any more: 34:32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
34:33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
34:34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.