Job 34:10–25

¹⁰Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding.

It is impossible for God to do wrong,

and for the Almighty to act unjustly.^m

¹¹For he repaysⁿ a person according to his deeds,

and he gives him what his conduct deserves.^D

¹²Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly

and the Almighty does not pervert justice.^o

¹³Who gave him authority over the earth?

Who put him in charge of the entire world?^p

¹⁴If he put his mind to it

and withdrew the spirit^q and breath he gave,

¹⁵every living thing would perish together

and mankind would return to the dust.^r

¹⁶If you have understanding, hear this;

listen to what I have to say.

¹⁷Could one who hates justice govern the world?

Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,^s

¹⁸who says to a king, “Worthless man!”

and to nobles, “Wicked men!”?^t

¹⁹God is not partial^u to princes

and does not favor the rich over the poor,

for they are all the work of his hands.

²⁰They die suddenly in the middle of the night;

people shudder, then pass away.

Even the mighty are removed without effort.

²¹For his eyes watch over a man’s ways,

and he observes all his steps.^a

²²There is no darkness, no deep darkness,

where evildoers can hide.^b

²³God does not need to examine a person further,

that one should^A approach him in court.

²⁴He shatters the mighty without an investigation

and sets others in their place.^c

²⁵Therefore, he recognizes their deeds^d

and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed.