Job 34:2–9

“Hear my words, you wise men,

and give ear to me, you who know;

for the ear tests words

as the palate tastes food.

Let us choose what is right;

let us know among ourselves what is good.

For Job has said, ‘I am in the right,

and God has taken away my right;

in spite of my right I am counted a liar;

my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

What man is like Job,

who drinks up scoffing like water,

who travels in company with evildoers

and walks with wicked men?

For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing

that he should take delight in God.’

“Hear my words, you wise men;

listen to me, you men of learning.

For the ear tests words

as the tongue tastes food.

Let us discern for ourselves what is right;

let us learn together what is good.

“Job says, ‘I am innocent,

but God denies me justice.

Although I am right,

I am considered a liar;

although I am guiltless,

his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’

Is there anyone like Job,

who drinks scorn like water?

He keeps company with evildoers;

he associates with the wicked.

For he says, ‘There is no profit

in trying to please God.’

Hear my words, you wise ones,

and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.

Doesn’t the ear test words

as the palate tastes food?

Let us judge for ourselves what is right;

let us decide together what is good.

For Job has declared, “I am righteous,

yet God has deprived me of justice.

Would I lie about my case?

My wound is incurable,

though I am without transgression.”

What man is like Job?

He drinks derision like water.

He keeps company with evildoers

and walks with wicked men.

For he has said, “A man gains nothing

when he becomes God’s friend.”

“Listen to me, you wise men.

Pay attention, you who have knowledge.

Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears

just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’

So let us discern for ourselves what is right;

let us learn together what is good.

For Job also said, ‘I am innocent,

but God has taken away my rights.

I am innocent, but they call me a liar.

My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’

“Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job,

with his thirst for irreverent talk?

He chooses evil people as companions.

He spends his time with wicked men.

He has even said, ‘Why waste time

trying to please God?’

“Hear my words, you wise men,

and listen to me, you who know,

for the ear tests words,

and the palate tastes food.

Let us choose justice for ourselves;

let us determine among ourselves what is good—

for Job has said, ‘I am righteous,

but God has taken away my justice.

Should I lie concerning my justice?

Though I am without transgression, my wound caused by an arrow is incurable.’

What man is like Job,

who drinks scorn like water?

And he goes on the road in company with instigators of mischief,

and walks with men of wickedness.

Indeed, he says, ‘A man does not profit

when he takes delight in God.’

Hear my words, O ye wise men;

And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

For the ear trieth words,

As the mouth tasteth meat.

Let us choose to us judgment:

Let us know among ourselves what is good.

For Job hath said, I am righteous:

And God hath taken away my judgment.

Should I lie against my right?

My wound is incurable without transgression.

What man is like Job,

Who drinketh up scorning like water?

Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity,

And walketh with wicked men.

For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing

That he should delight himself with God.