Job 34:29–33

When he is quiet, who can condemn?

When he hides his face, who can behold him,

whether it be a nation or a man?—

that a godless man should not reign,

that he should not ensnare the people.

“For has anyone said to God,

‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more;

teach me what I do not see;

if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

Will he then make repayment to suit you,

because you reject it?

For you must choose, and not I;

therefore declare what you know.

But if he remains silent, who can condemn him?

If he hides his face, who can see him?

Yet he is over individual and nation alike,

to keep the godless from ruling,

from laying snares for the people.

“Suppose someone says to God,

‘I am guilty but will offend no more.

Teach me what I cannot see;

if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’

Should God then reward you on your terms,

when you refuse to repent?

You must decide, not I;

so tell me what you know.

But 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,

so that godless men should not rule

or ensnare the people.

Suppose someone says to God,

“I have endured my punishment;

I will no longer act wickedly.

Teach me what I cannot see;

if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”

Should God repay you on your terms

when you have rejected his?

You must choose, not I!

So declare what you know.

But if he chooses to remain quiet,

who can criticize him?

When he hides his face, no one can find him,

whether an individual or a nation.

He prevents the godless from ruling

so they cannot be a snare to the people.

“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned,

but I will sin no more’?

Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me.

If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?

“Must God tailor his justice to your demands?

But you have rejected him!

The choice is yours, not mine.

Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.

but he remains quiet, and who can condemn?

And he hides his face, and who can behold him?

Yet he is over a nation and over a person alike,

so that godless human beings should not reign,

nor those who ensnare the people.

“Indeed, does anyone say to God, ‘I have endured chastisement;

I will not act corruptly again;

teach me yourself what I cannot see;

if I have done wrong, I will not repeat it’?

According to your judgment, must he repay it because you rejected this?

Indeed, you must choose, and not I, so declare what you know.

When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?

And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?

Whether it be done against a nation,

Or against a man only:

That the hypocrite reign not,

Lest the people be ensnared.

Surely it is meet to be said unto God,

I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:

That which I see not teach thou me:

If I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it,

Whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I:

Therefore speak what thou knowest.