Job 34
1Then Elihu continued, saying:2
3Hear my words, you wise ones, and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.4
5Doesn’t the ear test words as the palate tastes food?6
7Let us judge for ourselves what is right; let us decide together what is good.8
9For Job has declared, “I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.10
11Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.”12
13What man is like Job? He drinks derision like water.14
15He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.16
17For he has said, “A man gains nothing when he becomes God’s friend.”18
19Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. It is impossible for God to do wrong, and for the Almighty to act unjustly.20
21For he repays a person according to his deeds, and he gives him what his conduct deserves.22
23Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.24
25Who gave him authority over the earth? Who put him in charge of the entire world?26
27If he put his mind to it and withdrew the spirit and breath he gave,28
29every living thing would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.30
31If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I have to say.32
33Could one who hates justice govern the world? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,34
35who says to a king, “Worthless man!” and to nobles, “Wicked men!”?36
37God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands.38
39They die suddenly in the middle of the night; people shudder, then pass away. Even the mighty are removed without effort.40
41For his eyes watch over a man’s ways, and he observes all his steps.42
43There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide.44
45God does not need to examine a person further, that one should approach him in court.46
47He shatters the mighty without an investigation and sets others in their place.48
49Therefore, he recognizes their deeds and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed.50
51In full view of the public, he strikes them for their wickedness,52
53because they turned aside from following him and did not understand any of his ways54
55but caused the poor to cry out to him, and he heard the outcry of the needy.56
57But when God is silent, who can declare him guilty? When he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he watches over both individuals and nations,58
59so that godless men should not rule or ensnare the people.60
61Suppose someone says to God, “I have endured my punishment; I will no longer act wickedly.62
63Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”64
65Should God repay you on your terms when you have rejected his? You must choose, not I! So declare what you know.66
67Reasonable men will say to me, along with the wise men who hear me,68
69“Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.”70
71If only Job were tested to the limit, because his answers are like those of wicked men.72
73For he adds rebellion to his sin; he scornfully claps in our presence, while multiplying his words against God.74
3Hear my words, you wise ones, and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.4
5Doesn’t the ear test words as the palate tastes food?6
7Let us judge for ourselves what is right; let us decide together what is good.8
9For Job has declared, “I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.10
11Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.”12
13What man is like Job? He drinks derision like water.14
15He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.16
17For he has said, “A man gains nothing when he becomes God’s friend.”18
19Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding. It is impossible for God to do wrong, and for the Almighty to act unjustly.20
21For he repays a person according to his deeds, and he gives him what his conduct deserves.22
23Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.24
25Who gave him authority over the earth? Who put him in charge of the entire world?26
27If he put his mind to it and withdrew the spirit and breath he gave,28
29every living thing would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.30
31If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I have to say.32
33Could one who hates justice govern the world? Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,34
35who says to a king, “Worthless man!” and to nobles, “Wicked men!”?36
37God is not partial to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands.38
39They die suddenly in the middle of the night; people shudder, then pass away. Even the mighty are removed without effort.40
41For his eyes watch over a man’s ways, and he observes all his steps.42
43There is no darkness, no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide.44
45God does not need to examine a person further, that one should approach him in court.46
47He shatters the mighty without an investigation and sets others in their place.48
49Therefore, he recognizes their deeds and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed.50
51In full view of the public, he strikes them for their wickedness,52
53because they turned aside from following him and did not understand any of his ways54
55but caused the poor to cry out to him, and he heard the outcry of the needy.56
57But when God is silent, who can declare him guilty? When he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he watches over both individuals and nations,58
59so that godless men should not rule or ensnare the people.60
61Suppose someone says to God, “I have endured my punishment; I will no longer act wickedly.62
63Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”64
65Should God repay you on your terms when you have rejected his? You must choose, not I! So declare what you know.66
67Reasonable men will say to me, along with the wise men who hear me,68
69“Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.”70
71If only Job were tested to the limit, because his answers are like those of wicked men.72
73For he adds rebellion to his sin; he scornfully claps in our presence, while multiplying his words against God.74