I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom. And the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: I also will shew mine opinion. Yea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none of Or that answered his words: you that convinced Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. Now he hath not directed his words against me: Neither will I answer him with your speeches. They were amazed, they answered no more: They left off speaking. When I had waited, (for they spake not, But stood still, and answered no more;) I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. For I am full of matter, The spirit within me constraineth me. Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; I will speak, that I may be refreshed: Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, In so doing my maker would soon take me away. Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my heart: And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. If thou canst answer me, Set thy words in order before me, stand up. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, He putteth my feet in the stocks, Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. For he giveth not account of any of his matters. Yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. That he may withdraw man from his purpose, And hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. And the multitude of his bones with strong pain: And his soul dainty meat. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, And his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: He shall return to the days of his youth: He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: And he shall see his face with joy: For he will render unto man his righteousness. He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, And his life shall see the light. Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, To bring back his soul from the pit, To be enlightened with the light of the living. Hold thy peace, and I will speak. If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: If not, hearken unto me: Hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom. FURTHERMORE Elihu answered and said, Hear my words, O ye wise men; 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 what is good. And God hath taken away my judgment. My wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, Who drinketh 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 do wickedness; And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, |