Job 34:1
Then Elihu continued:
Job 34:2
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
Job 34:3
For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
Job 34:4
Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Job 34:5
For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
Job 34:6
Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
Job 34:7
What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
Job 34:8
He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
Job 34:9
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
Job 34:10
Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
Job 34:11
For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
Job 34:12
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
Job 34:13
Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
Job 34:14
If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
Job 34:15
all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
Job 34:16
If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
Job 34:17
Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
Job 34:18
who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
Job 34:19
who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
Job 34:20
They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
Job 34:21
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
Job 34:22
There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
Job 34:23
For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
Job 34:24
He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
Job 34:25
Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
Job 34:26
He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
Job 34:27
because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
Job 34:28
They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
Job 34:29
But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,
Job 34:30
that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
Job 34:31
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
Job 34:32
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
Job 34:33
Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
Job 34:34
Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
Job 34:35
‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
Job 34:36
If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
Job 34:37
For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”