That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
Parallel translations
- WEB Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
- BSB Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
- NKJV Teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’?
- NASB Teach me what I do not see; If I have done wrong, I will not do it again’?
- NLT Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The penitent also prays, 'Teach me what I cannot see; if I have sinned, I will stop.' Genuine repentance welcomes correction and instruction.
Overview
Continuing the model of true contrition, Elihu describes one who asks God to reveal hidden faults and pledges to forsake iniquity. This humility before God's teaching contrasts with self-justification. It echoes the psalmist's prayer to be searched and cleansed of hidden faults (Ps. 19:12; 139:23-24), a teachable heart that the Spirit works in those united to Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Ps 32:8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
- Ps 19:12Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
- Ps 139:23–24Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
- Ps 25:4–5Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
- Ps 143:8–10Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
- Prov 28:13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
- Job 10:2I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
- Job 35:11Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
- Luke 3:8–14Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
- Eph 4:22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
- Eph 4:25–28Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
- Job 33:27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Job's cry for a mediator who can lay his hand on both God and man, and his confidence that 'my Redeemer lives' and will stand on the earth, reaches forward to Jesus the living Redeemer.
How Job 34:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.