Job 34
Eliu says that Job has claimed to be just, yet God has subverted his judgment, and that Job's words contain unsound teaching. Eliu argues that God will repay each person according to their ways and that he does not condemn in vain. He also says that God is just and will not tolerate iniquity, and that those who work iniquity will be punished. Eliu concludes by saying that Job should be tested and constrained for his blasphemy and that he should not be allowed to provoke God with his speeches.
After proclaiming these things, Eliu now had this to sayMay the wise hear my words, and may the educated listen to meFor the ear examines words, and the mouth discerns foods by the tasteLet us choose judgment for ourselves, and let us consider among ourselves what is bestFor Job has said: "I am just, yet God has subverted my judgmentFor, within my judgment, there is a lie: my vehement barbs are without any sin.What man is there that is like Job, who drinks up derision as if it were waterwho accompanies those who work iniquity, and who walks with impious menFor he has said, "Man will not please God, even if he should travel with him.Therefore, prudent men, hear me: impiety is far from God, and iniquity is far from the AlmightyFor he will restore to man his works, and according to the ways of each, he will repay themFor truly, God will not condemn in vain, nor will the Almighty repudiate judgmentWhat other is established over the earth? Or whom has he placed over the world, which he madeBut, if he directs his heart towards him, he will draw his spirit and breath to himselfAll flesh will fail together, and man will return to ashesTherefore, if you have understanding, hear what is said, and heed the sound of my eloquenceIs he that does not love judgment able to be corrected? And how can you so greatly condemn him who is justHe says to the king, "You are an apostate." He calls commanders impiousHe does not accept the reputation of leaders; nor does he recognize the tyrant as he contends against the poor. For all are the work of his handsThey will die suddenly, and the people will be troubled in the middle of the night, but they will pass through it, and the violent will be taken away without a handFor his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he examines all of their stepsThere is no darkness and no shadow of death, where those who work iniquity may be hiddenFor it is no longer within the power of man to enter into judgment with GodHe will break into many innumerable pieces, and he will cause others to stand up in their placeFor he knows their works, and, as a result, he will bring the night, and they will be crushedJust as the impious do, he has struck them in a place where they can be seenThey, as if with great diligence, have withdrawn from him, and they refused to understand all his waysso that they caused the outcry of the needy to reach him, and he heard the voice of the poorFor, when he grants peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hides his face, who is there that can contemplate him, either among the nations, or among all menHe causes a hypocritical man to reign because of the sins of the peopleTherefore, since I have been speaking about God, I will not prevent you from doing the sameIf I have erred, you may teach me; if I have spoken unfairly, I will add no moreDoes God require this of you because it is displeasing to you? For you were the first to speak, and not I. But if you know something better, speakLet men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man listen to meBut Job has been speaking foolishly, and his words contain unsound teachingMy father, let Job be tested even to the end; may you not retreat from a man of iniquityFor he adds blasphemy on top of his sins; nevertheless, let him be constrained to be among us, and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches
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