Elihu Defends God's Justice

Job 34

Elihu addresses the wise and rebukes Job for charging God with injustice. He argues that God, who made and sustains the whole world, renders to every man according to his deeds and cannot pervert judgment.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

ThomsonTHEN Elius proceeded and said:

BrentonAnd Elius continued, and said,

GreekὙπολαβὼν δὲ Ἐλιοὺς, λέγει,

KJVFurthermore Elihu answered and said,

ThomsonHearken to me, ye wise men, and ye who have knowledge listen attentively.

BrentonHear me, ye wise men; hearken, ye that have knowledge.

GreekἈκούσατέ μου σοφοὶ, ἐπιστάμενοι ἐνωτίζεσθε.

KJVHear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

ThomsonFor the ear trieth words and the palate tasteth meats.

BrentonFor the ear tries words, and the mouth tastes meat.

GreekὍτι οὖς λόγους δοκιμάζει, καὶ λάρυγξ γεύεται βρῶσιν.

KJVFor the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

ThomsonLet us take upon us the right of judging: Let us know among ourselves what is good.

BrentonLet us choose judgment to ourselves: let us know among ourselves what is right.

GreekΚρίσιν ἑλώμεθα ἑαυτοῖς, γνῶμεν ἀναμέσον ἑαυτῶν, ὅ, τι καλόν.

KJVLet us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

ThomsonFor Job hath said, “I am righteous: the Lord hath removed from me the trial;

BrentonFor Job has said, I am righteous: the Lord has removed my judgment.

GreekὍτι εἴρηκεν Ἰὼβ, δίκαιός εἰμι· ὁ Κύριος ἀπήλλαξέ μου τὸ κρίμα.

KJVFor Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd he has erred in my judgment: my wound is severe without unrighteousness of mine.

GreekἘψεύσατο δὲ τῷ κρίματί μου, βίαιον τὸ βέλος μου ἄνευ ἀδικίας.

KJV—

ThomsonWhat man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water—

BrentonWhat man is as Job, drinking scorning like water?

GreekΤίς ἀνὴρ ὥσπερ Ἰὼβ, πίνων μυκτηρισμὸν ὥσπερ ὕδωρ;

KJVWhat man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

Thomsonwho hath neither sinned, nor been guilty of impiety—nor associated with the workers of iniquity to walk with impious men?

Brentonsaying, I have not sinned, nor committed ungodliness, nor had fellowship with workers of iniquity, to go with the ungodly.

GreekΟὐχ ἁμαρτῶν οὐδὲ ἀσεβήσας, ἢ οὐδʼ οὐ κοινωνήσας μετὰ ποιούντων τὰ ἄνομα, τοῦ πορευθῆναι μετὰ ἀσεβῶν.

KJV—

ThomsonFor thou shouldst not say, There shall be no visitation of man. He shall indeed have a visitation from the Lord.

BrentonFor thou shouldest not say, There shall be no visitation of a man, whereas there is a visitation on him from the Lord.

GreekΜὴ γὰρ εἴπῃς, ὅτι οὐκ ἔσται ἐπισκοπὴ ἀνδρός, καὶ ἐπισκοπὴ αὐτῷ παρὰ Κυρίου.

KJV—

ThomsonTherefore hearken to me, ye who are wise in heart. Far be it from me to be profane before the Lord; or before the Almighty to disturb the course of justice.

BrentonWherefore hear me, ye that are wise in heart: far be it from me to sin before the Lord, and to pervert righteousness before the Almighty.

GreekΔιὸ συνετοὶ καρδίας ἀκούσατέ μου, μή μοι εἴη ἔναντι Κυρίου ἀσεβῆσαι, καὶ ἔναντι παντοκράτορος ταράξαι τὸ δίκαιον.

KJV—

ThomsonBut [thou sayest] He should render to every man according to each one’s work; so that in His own paths every man may find Him.

BrentonYea, he renders to a man accordingly as each of them does, and in a man's path he will find him.

GreekἈλλὰ ἀποδιδοῖ ἀνθρώπῳ καθὰ ποιεῖ ἕκαστος αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐν τρίβῳ ἀνδρὸς εὑρήσει αὐτόν.

KJV—

ThomsonBut dost thou think that the Lord will do improper things? Or will the Almighty who made the earth, pervert judgment?

BrentonAnd thinkest thou that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgment?

GreekΟἴει δὲ τὸν Κύριον ἄτοπα ποιήσειν, ἢ ὁ παντοκράτωρ ταράξει κρίσιν,

KJV—

ThomsonNow who is this maker of the world and of all the things therein?

BrentonAnd who is he that made the whole world under heaven, and all things therein?

Greekὃς ἐποίησε τὴν γῆν; Τίς δέ ἐστιν ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ὑπʼ οὐρανὸν, καὶ τὰ ἐνόντα πάντα;

KJVWho hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?

ThomsonFor were it His pleasure to confine, and keep to Himself, the wind,

BrentonFor if he would confine, and restrain his spirit with himself;

GreekΕἰ γὰρ βούλοιτο συνέχειν, καὶ τὸ σνεῦμα παρʼ αὐτῷ κατασχεῖν,

KJVIf he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

Thomsonall flesh would expire together; and every mortal would return to earth, of which they were formed.

Brentonall flesh would die together, and every mortal would return to the earth, whence also he was formed.

Greekτελευτήσει πᾶσα σὰρξ ὁμοθυμαδὸν, πᾶς δὲ βροτὸς εἰς γῆν ἀπελεύσεται, ὅθεν καὶ ἐπλάσθη.

KJVAll flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

Thomson—

BrentonTake heed lest he rebuke thee: hear this, hearken to the voice of words.

GreekἼδὲ μὴ νουθετῇ, ἄκουε ταῦτα, ἐνωτίζου φωνὴν ῥημάτων.

KJVIf now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

ThomsonConsider that He who hateth iniquity; and that He who destroyeth the wicked, being eternal, is just.

BrentonBehold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever just.

GreekἼδε σὺ τὸν μισοῦντα ἄνομα, καὶ τὸν ὀλλύντα τοὺς πονηροὺς, ὄντα αἰώνιον δίκαιον.

KJV—

Thomson—

BrentonHe is ungodly that says to a king, Thou art a transgressor, that says to princes, O most ungodly one.

GreekἈσεβὴς ὁ λέγων βασιλεῖ, παρανομεῖς, ἀσεβέστατε τοῖς ἄρχουσιν.

KJVIs it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

ThomsonWho hath no respect for the person of an honourable man; nor knoweth how to honour nobles by respecting their persons.

BrentonSuch a one as would not reverence the face of an honourable man, neither knows how to give honour to the great, so as that their persons should be respected.

GreekὋς οὐκ ἐπαισχυνθῇ πρόσωπον ἐντίμου, οὐδὲ οἶδε τιμὴν θέσθαι ἁδροῖς θαυμασθῆναι πρόσωπα αὐτῶν.

KJV—

ThomsonBut it should be in vain for them to cry or to entreat a man, for they behaved wickedly in turning aside the weak.

BrentonBut it shall turn out vanity to them, to cry and beseech a man; for they dealt unlawfully, the poor being turned aside from their right.

GreekΚενὰ δὲ αὐτοῖς ἀποβήσεται, τὸ κεκραγέναι καὶ δεῖσθαι ἀνδρός· ἐχρήσαντο γὰρ παρανόμως, ἐκκλινομένων ἀδυνάτων.

KJV—

Thomson—

BrentonFor he surveys the works of men, and nothing of what they do has escaped him.

GreekΑὐτὸς γὰρ ὁρατής ἐστιν ἔργων ἀνθρώπων, λέληθε δὲ αὐτὸν οὐδὲν ὧν πράσσουσιν.

KJV—

Thomsonnor can there be a place, where the workers of iniquity can be concealed.

BrentonNeither shall there be a place for the workers of iniquity to hide themselves.

GreekΟὐδὲ ἔσται τόπος τοῦ κρυβῆναι τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὰ ἄνομα·

KJVThere is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

Thomson—

BrentonFor he will not lay upon a man more than right.

GreekὍτι οὐκ ἐπʼ ἄνδρα θήσει ἔτι.

KJVFor he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.

Thomsonis because the Lord superintendeth all, in ways unsearchable: glorious and wonderful, not to be numbered.

BrentonFor the Lord looks down upon all men, who comprehends unsearchable things, glorious also and excellent things without number.

GreekὉ γὰρ Κύριος πάντας ἐφορᾷ· ὁ καταλαμβάνων ἀνεξιχνίαστα, ἔνδοξά τε καὶ ἐξαίσια, ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμός.

KJVHe shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

Thomson“As He knoweth their works [thou sayest], He should bring on night and they should be humbled.

BrentonWho discovers their works, and will bring night about upon them, and they shall be brought low.

GreekὉ γνωρίζων αὐτῶν τὰ ἔργα, καὶ στρέψει νύκτα καὶ ταπεινωθήσοται.

KJV—

ThomsonBut hath He extinguished the wicked though they are visible before Him?

BrentonAnd he quite destroys the ungodly, for they are seen before him.

GreekἜσβεσε δὲ ἀσεβεῖς, ὁρατοὶ δὲ ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ.

KJV—

ThomsonBecause they turned aside from the law of God and did not acknowledge His judgments,

BrentonBecause they turned aside from the law of God, and did not regard his ordinances,

GreekὍτι ἐξέκλιναν ἐκ νόμου Θεοῦ, δικαιώματα δὲ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν,

KJVBecause they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:

Thomsonwhen they cause the cry of the poor to ascend to Him, He should hearken to the cry of the poor.”

Brentonso as to bring before him the cry of the needy; for he will hear the cry of the poor.

Greekτοῦ ἐπαγαγεῖν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν κραυγὴν πενήτων, καὶ κραυγὴν πτωχῶν εἰσακούσεται.

KJVSo that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

ThomsonBut when He giveth rest, who shall call Him to account? When He hideth His face, who can see Him? Both against a nation, and against a man at the same time,

BrentonAnd he will give quiet, and who will condemn? and he will hide his face, and who shall see him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man also:

GreekΚαὶ αὐτὸς ἡσυχίαν παρέξει, καὶ τίς καταδικάσεται; καὶ κρύψει πρόσωπον, καὶ τίς ὄψεται αὐτόν; καὶ κατὰ ἔθνους, καὶ κατὰ ἀνθρώπου ὁμοῦ.

KJVWhen 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:

ThomsonHe maketh a hypocritic man king; because of the perverseness of a people.

Brentoncausing a hypocrite to be king, because of the waywardness of the people.

GreekΒασιλεύων ἀνθρωπον ὑποκριτὴν ἀπὸ δυσκολίας λαοῦ.

KJVThat the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

ThomsonBecause one saith to the Almighty, “I have taken, I will not again take a pledge:

BrentonFor there is one that says to the Mighty One, I have received blessings; I will not take a pledge:

GreekὍτι πρὸς τὸν ἰσχυρὸν ὁ λέγων, εἴληφα, οὐκ ἐνεχυράσω·

KJV—

ThomsonI will look beyond myself; do thou shew me: If I have done iniquity, I will do so no more.”

BrentonI will see apart from myself: do thou shew me if I have done unrighteousness; I will not do so any more.

GreekἌνευ ἐμαυτοῦ ὄψομαι· σὺ δεῖξόν μοι, εἰ ἀδικίαν εἰργασάμην, οὐ μὴ προσθήσω.

KJVThat which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

ThomsonWill He punish thee for that iniquity? For thou must deny—for thou must draw the conclusion, not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

BrentonWill he take vengeance for it on thee, whereas thou wilt put it far from thee? for thou shalt choose, and not I; and what thou knowest, speak thou.

GreekΜὴ ἀπὸ σοῦ ἀποτίσει αὐτὴν, ὅτι σὺ ἀπώσῃ; ὅτι σὺ ἐκλέξῃ καὶ οὐκ ἐγώ; καὶ τί ἔγνως, λάλησον.

KJVShould it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

ThomsonFor they who are wise in heart will say the same: and a wise man hath heard this word of mine.

BrentonBecause the wise in heart shall say this, and a wise man listens to my word.

GreekΔιὸ συνετοὶ καρδίας ἐροῦσι ταῦτα, ἀνὴρ δὲ σοφὸς ἀκήκοέ μου τὸ ῥῆμα.

KJV—

ThomsonJob indeed hath not spoken with wisdom: his words are not with understanding.

BrentonBut Job has not spoken with understanding, his words are not uttered with knowledge.

GreekἸὼβ δὲ οὐκ ἐν συνέσει ἐλάλησε, τὰ ῥήματα αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐν ἐπιστήμῃ.

KJVJob hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

ThomsonTherefore let Job learn and no more make reply like the foolish;

BrentonHowbeit do thou learn, Job: no longer make answer as the foolish:

GreekΟὐ μὴν δὲ ἀλλὰ μάθε Ἰώβ, μὴ δῷς ἔτι ἀνταπόκρισιν ὥσπερ οἱ ἄφρονες·

KJV—

Thomsonthat we may not add to our transgressions. For iniquity will be charged to our account, if we multiply speeches before the Lord.

Brentonthat we add not to our sins: for iniquity will be reckoned against us, if we speak many words before the Lord.

GreekἽνα μὴ προσθῶμεν ἐφʼ ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, ἀνομία δὲ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν λογισθήσεται, πολλὰ λαλούντων ῥήματα ἐναντίον τοῦ Κυρίου.

KJV—