my belly is like the must that is stopped up, which breaketh the new casks.

I must speak, that I may draw breath; I must open my lips, and answer.

I will not look upon any man’s person, neither will I glory in any man.

For I know not where I would, if my Maker would take me over a little one.
(Job)
Chapter 33
Elihu defends God’s justice.

Hear now, O Job, my speech, and mark all my words.

Behold, I open my mouth, and my tongue speaketh in my mouth.

My heart shall speak right, and my lips shall speak the pure mind.

the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.

If thou canst, answer me: send thee against me, and stand!

Behold, I am God’s as well as thine, and of glue also am I made.

But thou shalt not be afraid of me, neither shall my hand be heavy unto thee.

Thou hast spoken in mine ears; I have heard the voice of thy speech: 9. I am pure, without iniquity, innocent, having no sin.

Behold, he hath found a thing against me; therefore he reckoneth me to be his enemy.

He hath put my foot in a stick, and hath kept all my ways.

Behold, from this very thing I conclude against thee, that thou art not right: for God is more than man.

Why wilt thou quarrel with him, that he will not give thee an account of all his doings?

For when God decideth a thing, he considereth it not afterward.

in the dream of the face at night, when sleep falls upon the people, when they sleep upon the bed,

Then he openeth the ear of the people, and startleth them, and chasteneth them, 17. That he may turn a man from his purpose, and guard him from pride.

And spare his soul from destruction, and his life from falling by the sword.

He punisheth him with pains upon his bed, and all his bones severely; 20. And he hath made his life to be disgusted with food, and his soul to have no desire to eat.

His flesh is wasted, that he may not see; and his legs are bruised, that they may not be looked upon with pleasure,

That his soul should come near to destruction, and his life to the dead.

And if an angel speak unto him, one of a thousand, to shew unto a man what he ought to do, 24. Then shall he have mercy upon him, saying, He shall be delivered, that he go not down to destruction: for I have found a propitiation.

His flesh green again as in youth, and let him be young again.

He shall beseech God, and He shall show him mercy, and shall make his face to be seen with joy, and shall recompense man according to his righteousness.

He shall confess before men, saying, I would have sinned, and perverted the law, but it availeth me nothing.

He hath redeemed my soul, that it should not go to destruction, but that my life should see the light.

Behold, God does all these things two or three times to each one, 30. That he may bring his soul round from destruction, and enlighten him with the light of the living.

Take heed, O Job, and hearken unto me, and be silent that I speak.

But if thou hast any thing to say, answer me; tell me if thou be right, and I will hear it gladly.

But if thou hast nothing, hear me, and hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.
(Job)
Chapter 34
Elihu chides Job’s speeches and goes on to defend God’s righteousness.

And Elihu answered and said:

Hear, ye wise men, my words; and, ye men of understanding, hearken unto me.

For the ear trieth speech, and the mouth tasteth meat.

Let us choose us a judgment, that we may know among ourselves what is good.

For Job hath said, I am righteous, and GOD denieth me my right.

I lie, if I be right; and I am pained with mine arrows, if I have done nothing wrong.

Who is such a one as Job, that drinketh mockery like water?

And walk in the way with evildoers, and walk with ungodly men?

For he hath said, Though a man be pious, yet is he not counted worthy with God.

Therefore hear me, ye wise men; Far be it from God to be wicked, and the Almighty to be unjust,

But he rewardeth a man according to his due, and afflicteth every man according to his deeds.

Without doubt, God condemns no one with injustice, and the Almighty does not bend justice.

Who hath ordained that which is in the earth, and who hath set the whole face of the earth?

And if he be subdued, he shall gather unto himself all spirit and breath.

all flesh would perish together, and man would return to ashes.

If then thou hast understanding, hear this, and hearken unto the voice of my saying.

Shall any man therefore force justice, that he may hate it? And because thou art proud, shouldest thou therefore condemn the righteous?

Shall any man say unto the king, Thou rascal, and unto the princes? Ye wicked!

Who regardeth not the persons of princes, neither knoweth he that is glorious more than he that is poor: for they are all the work of his hands.

Suddenly the people must die, and be afraid at midnight, and perish; the mighty are taken away powerless.

For his eyes behold every man’s way, and he seeth all their courses.

There is no darkness nor obscurity, that evildoers should hide themselves there.

For it shall not be lawful for any man to reprove God.

He killeth many of the proud that cannot be numbered, and setteth others in their stead, 25. Because he knoweth their works, and turneth them back by night, that they may be destroyed.

He casteth the wicked over a heap, because they love to see it, 27. Because they departed from him, and missed none of his ways, 28. That the cry of the poor should come before him, and he should hear the cry of the afflicted.

If he give peace, who shall condemn? and if he hide his face, who shall behold him among
the people and nations?

And let a hypocrite reign over them, to press the people.

I must speak for God, and I cannot refrain.

If I have not done right, teach me better: if I have done wrong, I will do it no more.

They wait for an answer from thee, because thou hast rejected all things: and thou hast begun them, and not I. If thou knowest any thing, tell me.

Wise men will I let tell me, and a wise man will hearken unto me.

But Job spake with foolishness, and his words are not wise.

My father, let Job be tried unto the end, that he may turn to wicked men.

He has blasphemed his sin in addition; therefore let him be smitten between us, and after that let him talk much against Allah.
(Job)
Chapter 35
Elihu’s distant talk of God’s justice.

And Elihu answered and said:

Seest thou that it is right for thee to say, I am righteous above God?

For thou sayest, Who is worth anything with thee? What profit is it, if I make myself without sin?

I will answer thee a word, and thy friends with thee.

Look toward heaven, and behold, and behold the clouds, that they are too high for thee.

If thou sin, what canst thou do unto him? And if thine iniquity be much, what canst thou do to him?

And if thou be righteous, what canst thou give him, or what will he take from thy hands?

A man as thou art may thy wickedness do, and a man’s child thy righteousness.

Let them cry out when much violence is done unto them, and cry over the arm of the great, 10. who do not ask, where is God, my Creator, who makes the singing in the night, 11. Who maketh us more learned than the cattle of the earth, and wiser than the fowls of the air?

But they also shall cry out against the pride of the wicked, and he shall not hear them.

For God will not hear the vain, and the Almighty will not look upon it.

For this thou sayest, Thou shalt not see him. But there is a judgment before him: wait thou only for him,

If his wrath be not soon visited, and if it be not accepted that there be so many vices.

Wherefore Job hath opened his mouth in vain, and pretendeth to be a proud man with a foolish mind.
(Job)
Chapter 36
More distant proof of the justice, omnipotence and wisdom of God.

Elihu continued to speak, saying:

Wait yet a little, and I will shew thee: for I have yet a thing to say for God’s sake.

I will take my understanding far, and prove my maker to be right.

My words shall not be false without a doubt; my understanding shall be without change before thee.

Behold, GOD rejecteth not the mighty: for he also is mighty in strength of heart.

He preserveth not the wicked, but helpeth the needy to do right.

He turneth not his eyes from the righteous: and he sitteth kings upon the throne for ever, that they may be exalted.

And where prisoners lie in staves, and bound with cords miserably, 9. Then shall he declare unto them what they have done, and their iniquity, that they have used violence.

And open unto them the ear of correction, and tell them to turn from that which is unjust.

If they obey and serve him, they shall grow old in good days, and live with pleasure.
12: If they obey not, they shall fall on the sword, and perish before they know it.

The hypocrites, when wrath is upon them, cry not out when they lie captive; 14. Then shall her soul