Job 34 / 42
- 1Then Elihu said:
- 2"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
- 3For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
- 4Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
- 5"Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
- 6Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'
- 7What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
- 8He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with wicked men.
- 9For he says, 'It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.'
- 10"So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
- 11He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.
- 12It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
- 13Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
- 14If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
- 15all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust.
- 16"If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
- 17Can he who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
- 18Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,'
- 19who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
- 20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
- 21"His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step.
- 22There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide.
- 23God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before him for judgment.
- 24Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
- 25Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
- 26He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
- 27because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
- 28They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
- 29But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike,
- 30to keep a godless man from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
- 31"Suppose a man says to God, 'I am guilty but will offend no more.
- 32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'
- 33Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
- 34"Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
- 35'Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.'
- 36Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
- 37To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."