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¹ Furthermore Elihu answered and said,² Hear my words, O ye wise [men]; and give ear to me, ye that have knowledge.³ For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth food.⁴ Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what [is] good.⁵ For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.⁶ Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression.⁷ What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up scorning like water?⁸ Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.⁹ For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

¹⁰ Therefore hearken to me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, [that he should do] wickedness; and [from] the Almighty, [that he should commit] iniquity.¹¹ For the work of a man he shall render to him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways.¹² Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.¹³ Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?¹⁴ If he should set his heart upon man, [if] he should gather to himself his spirit and his breath;¹⁵ All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

¹⁶ If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.¹⁷ Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?¹⁸ [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly?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.²⁰ In a moment they shall die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.²¹ For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.²² [There is] no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.²³ For he will not lay upon man more [than right]; that he should enter into judgment with God.²⁴ He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.²⁵ Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed.²⁶ He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;²⁷ Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:²⁸ So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.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:³⁰ That the hypocrite may not reign, lest the people should be ensnared.

³¹ Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]:³² [That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.³³ [Should it be] according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou shalt refuse, or whether thou shalt choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.³⁴ Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken to me.³⁵ Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom.³⁶ My desire [is that] Job may be tried to the end, because of [his] answers for wicked men.³⁷ For he addeth rebellion to his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God.