Job 34:21–36:23
21 “Indeed, his eyes are upon the ways of man,
and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no darkness, and there is no deep shadow
where instigators of mischief might hide themselves.
23 Indeed, he has not yet appointed a time for man
to go to God in the judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation,
and he sets others in their place.
25 Therefore he knows their works,
and he overturns them in the night
⌊so that⌋n they are crushed.
26 He strikes them ⌊where the wicked stood⌋,o
⌊where there are onlookers⌋,p
27 because they have turned aside from him
and have not understood any of his ways,
28 so that they cause the cry of distress from the helpless to come to him,
and he hears the cry of distress from the needy,
29 but he remains quiet, and who can condemn?
And he hides his face, and who can behold him?
Yetq he is over a nation and over a person alike,
30 so that godless human beings should not reign,
nor those who ensnare the people.
31 “Indeed, does anyone say to God, ‘I have endured chastisement;
I will not act corruptly again;
32 teach me yourself ⌊what I cannot see⌋;r
if I have done wrong, I will not repeat it’?
33 ⌊According to your judgment⌋,s must he repay it because you rejected this?
Indeed, you must choose, and not I, sot declare what you know.
34 ⌊Those who have sense⌋u say to me,
and the wise man hearing me says:
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge,
and his words are without insight.
36 Would that Job were tested up to the end
because his answers are like those from men of mischief,
37 for he adds transgression to his sin;
he claps hands among us,
and he multiplies his words against God.’ ”
35 Moreover,a Elihu ⌊spoke up⌋b and said,
2 “Do you think this is justice when you say,
‘⌊I am right⌋c before God’?
3 If you ask what it profits you:
‘How do I benefit ⌊by refraining from my sin⌋?’d
4 I myselfe ⌊will give answer to you⌋f
and to your friends with you.
5 “Look at the heavens, and see;
and observe the clouds that are higher than you.
6 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?
And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him,
or what does he receive from your hand?
8 Your wickedness affects a person like yourself,
and your righteousness affects humans.
9 “Because of the multitude of oppressions, they cry out;
they cry for help because of the arm of the mighty.
10 Butg no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,
who gives songs in the night,
11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth
and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’
12 There they cry out, buth he does not answer
⌊because of the pride of evildoers⌋.i
13 “Surely God does not hear an empty plea,
and Shaddai does not regard it.
14 ⌊How much less⌋j when you say that you do not see him,
that the case is ⌊before him⌋,k and you are waiting for him!
15 Butl now, because his anger does not punish,
and he does not acknowledge the transgression at all,
16 ⌊therefore⌋m Job opens his mouth in empty talk—
without knowledge he multiplies words.”
36 Thena Elihu continued and said,
2 “Bear with me a little longer, and ⌊I will explain⌋,b
for ⌊I still have something to say on God’s behalf⌋.c
3 I will bring my knowledge from far away,
and I will ascribe righteousness to my maker,
4 for truly my wordsd are not falsehood;
one who has perfect knowledge is with you.e
5 Look, God is mighty butf does not despise anyone;
he is mighty and ⌊good in understanding⌋.g
6 He does not keep the wicked alive
buth grants justice to the afflicted.
7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
buti he sets them forever with kings on the throne, and they are exalted.
8 “And if they are tied up with fetters,
if they are caught in the cords of misery,
9 thenj he declares their work to them,
and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.
10 Sok he opens their ear to the discipline,
and he commands that they return from mischief.
11 If they listen and serve him,
they complete their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.
12 Butl if they do not listen, they perish by the sword,
and they pass away without knowledge.
13 And the godless of heart cherish anger;
they do not cry for help when he binds them.
14 ⌊They die in their youth⌋,m
and their life ends among the male shrine prostitutes.
15 He delivers the afflicted by his misery,
and he opens their ears by the adversity.
16 And what’s more, he allured you ⌊out of distress⌋n
into a broad place, where in place of it was no constraint;
and what was set on your table is full of fatness.
17 Buto you are obsessed with the judgment of the wicked;
judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 Yes,p it is wrath, so that it will not incite you into mockery;
and do not let the ransom’s greatness turn you aside.
19 Will your cry for help sustain you without distress,
orq all the efforts of your strength?
20 You must not long for the night,
to cut off people ⌊in their place⌋.r
21 Take care, you must not turn to mischief,
for because of this you have been tried by misery.
22 “Look, God is exalted in his power;
who is a teacher like him?
23 Who has prescribed his way for him?
Ors who says, ‘You have done wrong’?