Job Chapter 34
King James Version (KJV)
Other Translations
asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM
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And he that voucheth for me is on high.
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My friends scoff at me:
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But mine eye poureth out tears unto God,
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That he would maintain the right of a man with God,
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And of a son of man with his neighbor!
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For when a few years are come,
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I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
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My spirit is consumed, my days are extinct,
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The grave is
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ready for me.
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Surely there are mockers with me,
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And mine eye dwelleth upon their provocation.
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Give now a pledge, be surety for me with thyself;
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Who is there that will strike hands with me?
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For thou hast hid their heart from understanding:
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Therefore shalt thou not exalt
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them.
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He that denounceth his friends for a prey,
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Even the eyes of his children shall fail.
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But he hath made me a byword of the people;
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And they spit in my face.
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Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow,
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And all my members are as a shadow.
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Upright men shall be astonished at this,
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And the innocent shall stir up himself against the godless.
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Yet shall the righteous hold on his way,
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And he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger.
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But as for you all, come on now again;
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And I shall not find a wise man among you.
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My days are past, my purposes are broken off,
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Even the thoughts of my heart.
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They change the night into day:
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The light,
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say they, is near unto the darkness.
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If I look for Sheol as my house;
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If I have spread my couch in the darkness;
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If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father;
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
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Moreover Elihu answered and said,
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Hear my words, ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
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For the ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth food.
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Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good!
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For Job hath said, I am righteous, andGod hath taken away my judgment:
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Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression.
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What man is like Job? he drinketh up scorning like water,
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And goeth in company with workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
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For he hath said, It profiteth not a man if he delight himself inGod.
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Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be wickedness fromGod, and wrong from the Almighty!
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For a man's work will he render to him, and cause every one to find according to [his] way.
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Yea, surely,God acteth not wickedly, and the Almighty perverteth not judgment.
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Who hath entrusted to him the earth? and who hath disposed the whole world?
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If he only thought of himself, [and] gathered unto him his spirit and his breath,
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All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.
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If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: give ear to the voice of my words!
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Should he that hateth right indeed govern? and wilt thou condemn the All-just?
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Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
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[How then to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich man more than the poor? for they are all the work of his hands.
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In a moment they die, even at midnight the people are convulsed and pass away; and the strong are taken away without hand.
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For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his steps.
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There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
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For he doth not long consider a man, to bring him beforeGod in judgment.
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He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and setteth others in their stead;
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Since he knoweth their actions; and he overthroweth [them] in the night, and they are crushed.
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He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others,
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Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;
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So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
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When he giveth quietness, who then will disturb? and when he hideth [his] face, who shall behold him? and this towards a nation, or towards a man alike;
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That the ungodly man reign not, that the people be not ensnared.
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For hath he said untoGod, I bear [chastisement], I will not offend;
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What I see not, teach thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do so no more?
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Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused [his judgment]; for thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest.
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Men of understanding will say to me, and a wise man who heareth me:
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Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were not with intelligence.
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Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of [his] answers after the manner of evil men!
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For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words againstGod.
lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM
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And Elius continued, and said,
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Hear me, ye wise men; hearken, ye that have knowledge.
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For the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.
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Let us choose judgment to ourselves: let us know among ourselves what is right.
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For Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgment.
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And he has erred in my judgment: my wound is severe without unrighteousness [of mine].
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What man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?
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[saying], I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.
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For thou shouldest not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas [there is] a visitation on him from the Lord.
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Wherefore hear me, ye that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the Almighty.
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Yea, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.
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And thinkest thou that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgment?
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And who is he that made [the whole world] under heaven, and all things therein?
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For if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;
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all flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.
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Take heed lest he rebuke [thee]: hear this, hearken to the voice of words.
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Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.
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[He is] ungodly that says to a king, Thou art a transgressor, [that says] to princes, O most ungodly one.
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[Such a one] as would not reverence the face of an honourable man, neither knows how to give honour to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.
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But it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside [from their right].
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For he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.
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Neither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.
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For he will not lay upon a man more [than right].
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For the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.
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Who discovers their works, and will bring night about [upon them], and they shall be brought low.
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And he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.
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Because they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,
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so as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.
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And he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man also:
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causing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.
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For [there is] one that says to the Mighty One, I have received [blessings]; I will not take a pledge:
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I will see apart from myself: do thou shew me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do [so] any more.
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Will he take vengeance for it on thee, whereas thou wilt put [it] far [from thee]? for thou shalt choose, and not I; and what thou knowest, speak thou.
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Because the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.
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But Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not [uttered] with knowledge.
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Howbeit do thou learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:
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that we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if [we] speak many words before the Lord.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
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Pronuntians itaque Eliu, etiam hæc locutus est:
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Audite sapientes verba mea, et eruditi auscultate me:
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Auris enim verba probat, et guttur escas gustu diiudicat.
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Iudicium eligamus nobis, et inter nos videamus quid sit melius.
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Quia dixit Iob: Iustus sum, et Deus subvertit iudicium meum.
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In iudicando enim me, mendacium est: violenta sagitta mea absque ullo peccato.
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Quis est vir ut est Iob, qui bibit subsannationem quasi aquam:
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Qui graditur cum operantibus iniquitatem, et ambulat cum viris impiis?
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Dixit enim: Non placebit vir Deo, etiam si cucurrerit cum eo.
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Ideo viri cordati audite me, absit a Deo impietas, et ab Omnipotente iniquitas.
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Opus enim hominis reddet ei, et iuxta vias singulorum restituet eis.
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Vere enim Deus non condemnabit frustra, nec Omnipotens subvertet iudicium.
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Quem constituit alium super terram? aut quem posuit super orbem, quem fabricatus est?
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Si direxerit ad eum cor suum, spiritum illius et flatum ad se trahet.
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Deficiet omnis caro simul, et homo in cinerem revertetur.
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Si habes ergo intellectum, audi quod dicitur, et ausculta vocem eloquii mei.
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Numquid qui non amat iudicium, sanari potest? et quomodo tu eum, qui iustus est, in tantum condemnas?
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Qui dicit regi, apostata: qui vocat duces impios:
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Qui non accipit personas principum: nec cognovit tyrannum, cum disceptaret contra pauperum: opus enim manuum eius sunt universi.
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Subito morientur, et in media nocte turbabuntur populi, et pertransibunt, et auferent violentum absque manu.
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Oculi enim eius super vias hominum, et omnes gressus eorum considerat.
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Non sunt tenebræ, et non est umbra mortis, ut abscondantur ibi qui operantur iniquitatem.
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Neque enim ultra in hominis potestate est, ut veniat ad Deum in iudicium.
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Conteret multos, et innumerabiles, et stare faciet alios pro eis.
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Novit enim opera eorum: et idcirco inducet noctem, et conterentur.
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Quasi impios percussit eos in loco videntium.
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Qui quasi de industria recesserunt ab eo, et omnes vias eius intelligere noluerunt:
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Ut pervenire facerent ad eum clamorem egeni, et audiret vocem pauperum.
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Ipso enim concedente pacem, quis est qui condemnet? ex quo absconderit vultum, quis est qui contempletur eum et super gentes et super omnes homines?
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Qui regnare facit hominem hypocritam propter peccata populi.
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Quia ergo ego locutus sum ad Deum, te quoque non prohibebo.
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Si erravi, tu doce me: si iniquitatem locutus sum, ultra non addam.
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Numquid a te Deus expetit eam, quia displicuit tibi? tu enim cœpisti loqui, et non ego: quod si quid nosti melius, loquere.
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Viri intelligentes loquantur mihi, et vir sapiens audiat me.
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Iob autem stulte locutus est, et verba illius non sonant disciplinam.
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Pater mi, probetur Iob usque ad finem: ne desinas ab homine iniquitatis.
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Quia addit super peccata sua blasphemiam, inter nos interim constringatur: et tunc ad iudicium provocet sermonibus suis Deum.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
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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?
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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 give 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.”
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
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And Elihu answereth and saith:
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Hear, O wise men, my words, And, O knowing ones, give ear to me.
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For the ear doth try words, And the palate tasteth to eat.
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Judgment let us choose for ourselves, Let us know among ourselves what <FI>is<Fi> good.
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For Job hath said, `I have been righteous, And God hath turned aside my right,
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Against my right do I lie? Mortal <FI>is<Fi> mine arrow--without transgression.'
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Who <FI>is<Fi> a man like Job? He drinketh scoffing like water,
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And he hath travelled for company With workers of iniquity, So as to go with men of wickedness.
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For he hath said, `It doth not profit a man, When he delighteth himself with God.'
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Therefore, O men of heart, hearken to me; Far be it from God to do wickedness, And <FI>from<Fi> the Mighty to do perverseness:
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For the work of man he repayeth to him, And according to the path of each He doth cause him to find.
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Yea, truly, God doth not do wickedly, And the Mighty doth not pervert judgment.
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Who hath inspected for Himself the earth? And who hath placed all the habitable world?
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If He doth set on him His heart, His spirit and his breath unto Him He gathereth.
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Expire doth all flesh together, And man to dust returneth.
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And if <FI>there is<Fi> understanding, hear this, Give ear to the voice of my words.
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Yea, doth one hating justice govern? Or the Most Just dost thou condemn?
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Who hath said to a king--`Worthless,' Unto princes--`Wicked?'
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That hath not accepted the person of princes, Nor hath known the rich before the poor, For a work of His hands <FI>are<Fi> all of them.
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<FI> In<Fi> a moment they die, and at midnight Shake do people, and they pass away, And they remove the mighty without hand.
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For His eyes <FI>are<Fi> on the ways of each, And all his steps He doth see.
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There is no darkness nor death-shade, For workers of iniquity to be hidden there;
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For He doth not suffer man any more, To go unto God in judgment,
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He breaketh the mighty--no searching! And He appointeth others in their stead.
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Therefore He knoweth their works, And He hath overturned by night, And they are bruised.
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As wicked He hath stricken them, In the place of beholders.
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Because that against right They have turned aside from after Him, And none of His ways have considered wisely,
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To cause to come in unto Him The cry of the poor, And the cry of the afflicted He heareth.
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And He giveth rest, and who maketh wrong? And hideth the face, and who beholdeth it? And in reference to a nation and to a man, <FI>It is<Fi> the same.
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From the reigning of a profane man, From the snares of a people;
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For unto God hath any said: `I have taken away, I do not corruptly,
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Besides <FI>that which<Fi> I see, shew Thou me, If iniquity I have done--I do not add?'
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By thee doth He recompense, That thou hast refused--That thou dost choose, and not I? And what thou hast known, speak.
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Let men of heart say to me, And a wise man is hearkening to me.
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Job--not with knowledge doth he speak, And his words <FI>are<Fi> not with wisdom.
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My Father! let Job be tried--unto victory, Because of answers for men of iniquity,
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For he doth add to his sin, Transgression among us he vomiteth, And multiplieth his sayings to God.
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).