Job 34

Then Elihu said:

“Hear my words, you wise men;

listen to me,^d you men of learning.

For the ear tests words

as the tongue tastes food.^e

Let us discern for ourselves what is right;^f

let us learn together what is good.^g

“Job says, ‘I am innocent,^h

but God denies me justice.ⁱ

Although I am right,

I am considered a liar;^j

although I am guiltless,^k

his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’^l

Is there anyone like Job,

who drinks scorn like water?^m

He keeps company with evildoers;

he associates with the wicked.ⁿ

For he says, ‘There is no profit

in trying to please God.’^o

“So listen to me,^p you men of understanding.^q

Far be it from God to do evil,^r

from the Almighty to do wrong.^s

He repays everyone for what they have done;^t

he brings on them what their conduct deserves.^u

It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,^v

that the Almighty would pervert justice.^w

Who appointed^x him over the earth?

Who put him in charge of the whole world?^y

If it were his intention

and he withdrew his spirit^z and breath,^a

all people would perish^b together

and would return to the dust.^c

“If you have understanding,^d hear this;

listen to what I say.^e

Can one who hates justice govern?^f

Will you condemn the just and mighty One?^g

Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’

and to nobles,^h ‘You are wicked,’ⁱ

who shows no partiality^j to princes

and does not favor the rich over the poor,^k

for they are all the work of his hands?^l

They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;^m

the people are shaken and they pass away;

the mighty are removed without human hand.ⁿ

“His eyes are on the ways of mortals;^o

he sees their every step.^p

There is no deep shadow,^q no utter darkness,^r

where evildoers can hide.^s

God has no need to examine people further,^t

that they should come before him for judgment.^u

Without inquiry he shatters^v the mighty^w

and sets up others in their place.^x

Because he takes note of their deeds,^y

he overthrows them in the night^z and they are crushed.^a

He punishes them for their wickedness^b

where everyone can see them,

because they turned from following him^c

and had no regard for any of his ways.^d

They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,

so that he heard the cry of the needy.^e

But if he remains silent,^f who can condemn him?^g

If he hides his face,^h who can see him?

Yet he is over individual and nation alike,ⁱ

to keep the godless^j from ruling,^k

from laying snares for the people.^l

“Suppose someone says to God,

‘I am guilty^m but will offend no more.

Teach me what I cannot see;ⁿ

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

Should God then reward you on your terms,

when you refuse to repent?^p

You must decide, not I;

so tell me what you know.

“Men of understanding declare,

wise men who hear me say to me,

‘Job speaks without knowledge;^q

his words lack insight.’^r

Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost

for answering like a wicked man!^s

To his sin he adds rebellion;

scornfully he claps his hands^t among us

and multiplies his words^u against God.”^v