Job 34:1–37

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