Job 34:18
16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20 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.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
- KJV
- Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
- WEB
- who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
- ASV
- [Him] that saith to a king, [Thou art] vile, [Or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked;
- DARBY
- Shall one say to a king, Belial? to nobles, Wicked?
- BLB
- Who says to a king, ‘Worthless,’ [or] to nobles, ‘Wicked’?
- ÅB
- Sier vel noen til en konge: Din niding, eller til en fyrste: Du ugudelige?
- OTB
- Er det ikke Han som erklærer til konger: ‘Du er uten betydning,’
og til adelsmenn: ‘Du er korrupt,’ - B1930
- Sier vel nogen til en konge: Din niding, eller til en fyrste: Du ugudelige?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Exodus 22:28
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
Read in contextProverbs 17:26
Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
Read in contextRomans 13:7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Read in contextActs 23:3
Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
Read in contextJude 1:8
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Read in contextActs 23:5
Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
Read in context2 Peter 2:10
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Read in context1 Peter 2:17
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Read in context