Job 34 - New Century Version (NCV)

34 Then Elihu said:

2 “Hear my words, you wise men;
listen to me, you who know a lot.
3 The ear tests words
as the tongue tastes food.
4 Let’s decide for ourselves what is right,
and let’s learn together what is good.

5 “Job says, ‘I am not guilty,
and God has refused me a fair trial.
6 Instead of getting a fair trial,
I am called a liar.
I have been seriously hurt,
even though I have not sinned.’
7 There is no other man like Job;
he takes insults as if he were drinking water.
8 He keeps company with those who do evil
and spends time with wicked men,
9 because he says, ‘It is no use
to try to please God.’

10 “So listen to me, you who can understand.
God can never do wrong!
It is impossible for the Almighty to do evil.
11 God pays people back for what they have done
and gives them what their actions deserve.
12 Truly God will never do wrong;
the Almighty will never twist what is right.
13 No one chose God to rule over the earth
or put him in charge of the whole world.
14 If God should decide
to take away life and breath,
15 then everyone would die together
and turn back into dust.

16 “If you can understand, hear this;
listen to what I have to say.
17 Can anyone govern who hates what is right?
How can you blame God who is both fair and powerful?
18 God is the one who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
or to important people, ‘You are evil.’
19 He is not nicer to princes than other people,
nor kinder to rich people than poor people,
because he made them all with his own hands.
20 They can die in a moment, in the middle of the night.
They are struck down, and then they pass away;
powerful people die without help.

21 “God watches where people go;
he sees every step they take.
22 There is no dark place or deep shadow
where those who do evil can hide from him.
23 He does not set a time
for people to come before him for judging.
24 Without asking questions, God breaks powerful people into pieces
and puts others in their place.
25 Because God knows what people do,
he defeats them in the night, and they are crushed.
26 He punishes them for the evil they do
so that everyone else can watch,
27 because they stopped following God
and did not care about any of his ways.
28 The cry of the poor comes to God;
he hears the cry of the needy.
29 But if God keeps quiet, who can blame him?
If he hides his face, who can see him?
God still rules over both nations and persons alike.
30 He keeps the wicked from ruling
and from trapping others.

31 “But suppose someone says to God,
‘I am guilty, but I will not sin anymore.
32 Teach me what I cannot see.
If I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33 So, Job, should God reward you as you want
when you refuse to change?
You must decide, not I,
so tell me what you know.

34 “Those who understand speak,
and the wise who hear me say,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowing what is true;
his words show he does not understand.’
36 I wish Job would be tested completely,
because he answered like an evil man!
37 Job now adds to his sin by turning against God.
He claps his hands in protest,
speaking more and more against God.”

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Job 34 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

34 And Elihu answereth and saith: 2 Hear, O wise men, my words, And, O knowing ones, give ear to me. 3 For the ear doth try words, And the palate tasteth to eat. 4 Judgment let us choose for ourselves, Let us know among ourselves what [is] good. 5 For Job hath said, `I have been righteous, And God h...
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Job 34 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

34 And so Elihu pronounced, and spake also these things, (and said,) 2 Wise men, hear ye my words, and learned men, harken ye (to) me; 3 for the ear proveth words, and the throat deemeth meat by taste (and the tongue judgeth food by taste). 4 Choose we doom to us (Let us use judgement); and see we a...
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Job 34 - World English Bible (WEB)

34 Moreover Elihu answered, 2 “Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.5 For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my righ...
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Job 34 - The Voice (VOICE)

34 Job remained silent, so Elihu continued. 2 Elihu: Hear my words, you men of wisdom; listen to me, learned ones:3 Our ears are capable of testing wisdom of words the way the roofs of our mouths are capable of tasting food.[a]4 Let us form a council here then, and decide among us what is right; l...
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Job 34 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Testing Job’s Claims34 Then Elihu answered: 2 “Hear my words, you wise men; give ear to me, you men of learning.3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us learn together what is good. 5 “For Job says, ‘I am righteous, but God has deprived m...
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Job 34 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice34 Then Eli′hu said: 2 “Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.4 Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.5 For Job has said, ‘I am innocent, and God has taken aw...
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Job 34 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice34 Then Eli′hu said: 2 “Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.4 Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.5 For Job has said, ‘I am innocent, and God has taken aw...
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Job 34 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice34 Then Elihu continued and said: 2 “Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.4 Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.5 For Job has said, ‘I am innocent, and God...
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Job 34 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice34 Then Elihu continued and said: 2 ‘Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.4 Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.5 For Job has said, “I am innocent, and God...
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Job 34 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice34 Then Elihu continued and said:2 “Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know,3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.(A)4 Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.(B)5 For Job has said, ‘I am innocent, an...
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Job 34 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Elihu Accuses Job of Arrogance34 Then Elihu said: 2 “Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge.3 Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.5 Fo...
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Job 34 - New Life Version (NLV)

Elihu Keeps On Speaking34 Then Elihu said, 2 “Hear my words, you wise men. Listen to me, you who know. 3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. 4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 For Job has said, ‘I am right and good, but God has ...
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Job 34 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Elihu Proclaims God’s Justice34 Elihu further answered and said: 2 “Hear my words, you wise men;Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.3 (A)For the ear tests wordsAs the palate tastes food.4 Let us choose justice for ourselves;Let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 “For Job has said, (B)‘I am r...
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Job 34 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

34 Then Elihu said: 2 ‘Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. 5 ‘Job says, “I am innocent, but God denies me justice.6 Although I am right, I ...
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Job 34 - New International Version (NIV)

34 Then Elihu said: 2 “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me,(A) you men of learning.3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.(B)4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right;(C) let us learn together what is good.(D) 5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent,(E) but God denies me justice.(F)6 Altho...
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Job 34 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

34 Elihu continued, 2 “Hear what I’m saying, you wise men. Listen to me, you who have learned so much.3 Our tongues tell us what tastes good and what doesn’t. And our ears tell us what’s true and what isn’t.4 So let’s choose for ourselves what is right. Let’s learn together what is good. 5 “Job says...
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Job 34 - New English Translation (NET)

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