¹ And Elihu proceeded, and said:

² Hear my words, ye wise men! Give ear to me, ye that have knowledge!

³ For the ear trieth words, As the mouth tasteth meat.

⁴ Let us examine for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is true.

⁵ Job hath said, "I am righteous, And God refuseth me justice.

⁶ Though I am innocent, I am made a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am free from transgression."

⁷ Where is the man like Job, Who drinketh impiety like water;

⁸ Who goeth in company with evil-doers, And walketh with wicked men?

⁹ For he hath said, "A man hath no advantage, When he delighteth himself in God."

¹⁰ Wherefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding! Far be iniquity from God; Yea, far be injustice from the Almighty!

¹¹ For what a man hath done he will requite him, And render to every one according to his deeds.

¹² Surely God will not do iniquity, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

¹³ Who hath given him the charge of the earth? Or who hath created the whole world?

¹⁴ Should he set his heart against man, Should he take back his spirit and his breath,

¹⁵ Then would all flesh expire together; Yea, man would return to the dust.

¹⁶ If thou hast understanding, hear this! Give ear to the voice of my words!

¹⁷ Shall he, that hateth justice, govern? Wilt thou then condemn the just and mighty One?

¹⁸ Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked; Or to princes, Ye are unrighteous?

¹⁹ How much less to him that is not partial to princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of his hands.

²⁰ In a moment they die; yea, at midnight Do the people stagger and pass away, And the mighty are destroyed without hand.

²¹ For his eyes are upon the ways of man; He seeth all his steps.

²² There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where evil-doers may hide themselves.

²³ He needeth not attend long to a man, That he may go into judgment before God;

²⁴ He dasheth in pieces the mighty without inquiry, And setteth up others in their stead.

²⁵ Therefore he knoweth their works, And in a night he overthroweth them, so that they are destroyed.

²⁶ On account of their wickedness he smiteth them, In the presence of many beholders;

²⁷ Because they turned away from him, And had no regard to his ways,

²⁸ And caused the cry of the poor to come before him; For he heareth the cry of the oppressed.

²⁹ When he giveth rest, who can cause trouble? And when he hideth his face, Who can behold him?

³⁰ So is it with nations and individuals alike! That the wicked may no more rule, And may not be snares to the people.

³¹ Surely thou shouldst say unto God, "I have received chastisement; I will no more offend;

³² What I see not, teach thou me! If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more."

³³ Shall he recompense according to thy mind, Because thou refusest, or because thou choosest, and not he? Speak, if thou hast knowledge!

³⁴ Men of understanding, Wise men, who hear me, will say,

³⁵ "Job hath spoken without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom."

³⁶ I desire that Job may be tried to the last, For answering like wicked men.

³⁷ For he addeth impiety to his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth words against God.