Job 34:10–25

¹⁰“So listen to me, you men who have understanding.

God would never do what is evil.

The Mighty One would never do what is wrong.

¹¹He pays a man back for what he’s done.

He gives him exactly what he should get.

¹²It isn’t possible for God to do wrong.

The Mighty One would never treat people unfairly.

¹³Who appointed him to rule over the earth?

Who put him in charge of the whole world?

¹⁴If he really wanted to,

he could hold back his spirit and breath.

¹⁵Then everyone would die together.

They would return to the dust.

¹⁶“Job, if you have understanding, listen to me.

Pay attention to what I’m saying.

¹⁷Can someone who hates to be fair govern?

Will you bring charges against the holy and mighty One?

¹⁸He says to kings, ‘You are worthless.’

He says to nobles, ‘You are evil.’

¹⁹He doesn’t favor princes.

He treats rich people and poor people the same.

His hands created all of them.

²⁰They die suddenly in the middle of the night.

God strikes them down, and they pass away.

Those who are mighty are removed, but not by human hands.

²¹“His eyes see how people live.

He watches every step they take.

²²There isn’t a dark place or deep shadow

where those who do what is evil can hide.

²³God doesn’t need to bring charges against men.

He knows they are guilty.

So he doesn’t need to have them appear in his court to be judged.

²⁴He destroys the mighty without asking them questions in court.

Then he sets others up in their places.

²⁵He knows what they do.

So he crushes them during the night.