Hear my words, O ye wisemen;and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves whatisgood.
For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
Should I lie against my right? my woundisincurable without transgression.
What manislike Job,whodrinketh up scorning like water?
Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God,that he should dowickedness; andfromthe Almighty,that he should commitiniquity.
For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according tohisways.
Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
If he set his heart upon man,ifhe gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
If nowthou hastunderstanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
Is it fitto say to a king,Thou artwicked?andto princes,Ye areungodly?
How much less to himthat accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they allarethe work of his hands.
In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
For his eyesareupon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
There isno darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
For he will not lay upon man morethan right;that he should enter into judgment with God.
He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneththemin the night, so that they are destroyed.
He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hidethhisface, who then can behold him? whetherit be doneagainst a nation, or against a man only:
That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have bornechastisement, I will not offendany more:
That whichI see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
Should it beaccording to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his wordswerewithout wisdom.
My desireis thatJob may be tried unto the end because ofhisanswers for wicked men.
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappethhis handsamong us, and multiplieth his words against God.