| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1Elihu answered: | 1Then Elihu said: |
| 2"Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men. | 2"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning. |
| 3For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food. | 3For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. |
| 4Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good. | 4Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. |
| 5For Job says, 'I am innocent, but God turns away my right. | 5"Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice. |
| 6Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.' | 6Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.' |
| 7What man is like Job, who drinks derision like water! | 7Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water? |
| 8He goes about in company with evildoers, he goes along with wicked men. | 8He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked. |
| 9For he says, 'It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.' | 9For he says, 'There is no profit in trying to please God.' |
| 10"Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil. | 10"So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. |
| 11For he repays a person for his work, and according to the conduct of a person, he causes the consequences to find him. | 11He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves. |
| 12Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. | 12It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. |
| 13Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world? | 13Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? |
| 14If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath, | 14If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, |
| 15all flesh would perish together and human beings would return to dust. | 15all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. |
| 16"If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say. | 16"If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. |
| 17Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One, | 17Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One? |
| 18who says to a king, 'Worthless man' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,' | 18Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,' |
| 19who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands? | 19who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? |
| 20In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly. | 20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. |
| 21For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person's steps. | 21"His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. |
| 22There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves. | 22There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide. |
| 23For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment. | 23God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment. |
| 24He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place. | 24Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. |
| 25Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. | 25Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. |
| 26He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see, | 26He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, |
| 27because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways, | 27because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways. |
| 28so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy. | 28They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy. |
| 29But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike, | 29But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike, |
| 30so that the godless man should not rule, and not lay snares for the people. | 30to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people. |
| 31"Has anyone said to God, 'I have endured chastisement, but I will not act wrongly any more. | 31"Suppose someone says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more. |
| 32Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done evil, I will do so no more.' | 32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.' |
| 33Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know. | 33Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know. |
| 34Men of understanding say to me--any wise man listening to me says-- | 34"Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me, |
| 35that Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without understanding. | 35Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.' |
| 36But Job will be tested to the end, because his answers are like those of wicked men. | 36Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! |
| 37For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands, and multiplies his words against God." | 37To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God." |
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