[2] Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
[2] ---
[3] For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food.
[3] ---
[4] Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good.
[4] ---
[5] For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right:
[5] ---
[6] Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; My wound is incurable, though I amwithout transgression.
[6] ---
[7] What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water,
[7] ---
[8] Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men?
[8] ---
[9] For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.
[9] ---
[10] Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
[10] ---
[11] For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways.
[11] ---
[12] Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
[12] ---
[13] Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world?
[13] ---
[14] If he set his heart upon himself, Ifhe gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
[14] ---
[15] All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.
[15] ---
[16] If nowthou hastunderstanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words.
[16] ---
[17] Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous and mighty?—
[17] ---
[18] Himthat saith to a king, Thou art vile, Orto nobles, Ye arewicked;
[18] ---
[19] That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.
[19] ---
[20] In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand.
[20] ---
[21] For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.
[21] ---
[22] There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
[22] ---
[23] For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.
[23] ---
[24] He breaketh in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, And setteth others in their stead.
[24] ---
[25] Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
[25] ---
[26] He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others;
[26] ---
[27] Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways:
[27] ---
[28] So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted.
[28] ---
[29] When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether it be done unto a nation, or unto a man:
[29] ---
[30] That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people.
[30] ---
[31] For hath any said unto God, I have bornechastisement, I will not offend any more:
[31] ---
[32] That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more?
[32] ---
[33] Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest.
[33] ---
[34] Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me:
[34] ---
[35] Job speaketh without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.
[35] ---
[36] Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men.
[36] ---
[37] For he addeth rebellion unto his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against God.
