God watches over the Moral Order

10 So, ye men of intelligence, listen.

Far be it from God to do evil,

And from the Almighty to err.

11 For the work of each man He requiteth;

He bringeth his way back upon him.

12 God assuredly cannot do wrong.

The Almighty would not pervert justice.

13 Who entrusted the earth to His charge?

And who watcheth over the universe?

14 If He should recall His spirit

And gather His breath to Himself,

15 All flesh together would perish,

And man would return to the dust.

16 If thou art wise, listen to this,

And give ear to the sound of my words.

17 Could One rule to whom justice were odious?

Condemn’st thou the Just and the Mighty One,

18 Who saith to a king, "Thou villain!"

To nobles, "Ye infamous men!"–

19 Who showeth no favour to princes,

Regardeth not rich more than poor?

For the work of His hands are they all:

20 In a moment they die – at midnight.

The rich are convulsed, they pass:

He mysteriously removeth the mighty.

21 For His eyes are over man’s ways,

Every one of his steps He beholdeth.

22 No darkness is there and no gloom

Where the workers of wrong may be hidden.

23 No time doth he set for man

To appear before God in judgment:

24 He shatters the strong without trial,

And others He sets in their place.

25 For He giveth heed to their works;

In the night He doth overturn them.

26 Beneath their crimes they are crushed;

He smites them in presence of witnesses;

27 For they turned from following Him,

And they gave no heed to His ways.

28 so the crushed were driven to cry to Him,

And the call of the wretched He heard.

29 But if He remain silent, who then can condemn Him?

If He hide His face, who can bring Him to task?

Yet He watches o’er nations and men,

30 That none reigns who would wrong the people.

31 Say to God, "I have borne my sin,

I will not offend any more.

32 Now I see it: O teach me Thyself.

Have I sinned? I will do so no more."

33 Must He recompense after thy wishes,

That thou hast rejected (His ways)?

’Tis for thee to decide – not for me;

Then utter the thing that thou knowest.

34 Men of intellect will admit–

Men of wisdom who listen to me–

35 That Job hath not spoken with knowledge,

His words are not marked by insight.

36 O that Job might be tried to the end

For the wickedness of his answers!

37 For he addeth rebellion to sin,

And multiples words against God.

35 Then Elihu went on:

2 Thinkest thou this to be just,

Dost thou call it they right before God,

3 To ask, "What advantage is mine?

What the better am I, if I sin not?"

4 Well, I will give thee an answer,

And thy three friends as well.

5 Look to the heavens and see,

And observe the clouds high overhead.

6 what effect hath thy sin upon Him?

What cares He for thy many transgressions?

7 What gain comes to Him from thy righteousness?

What receives He from thy hand?

8 ’Tis to men like thyself thy sin matters,

’Tis mortals thy righteousness touches.

9 Under sore oppression men cry

For help from the arm of the tyrant;

10 But none saith, "Where is God my Creator?"–

The Giver of songs in the night,

11 Who grants us more knowledge than beasts,

And more wisdom than birds of the air.

12 Then they cry, but receive no answer,

Because of their impious pride.

13 For to idle cries God will not listen,

Nor will the Almighty regard them.

14 And when He seems not to regard thee,

Be still and wait patiently for Him.

15 But now that His wrath doth not punish,

And sin He not greatly regardeth,

16 Job opens his mouth thus idly,

And poureth forth words without knowledge.