Job 34 — AAB

Elihu Confirms God’s Justice

34Verse 1Then Elihu continued:^{Verse 2}“Hear my words, O wise men;give ear to me, O men of learning.^{Verse 3}For the ear tests wordsas the mouth tastes food.^{Verse 4}Let us choose for ourselves what is right;let us learn together what is good.^{Verse 5}For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous,yet God has deprived me of justice.^{Verse 6}Would I lie about my case?My wound is incurable,
though I am without transgression.’^{Verse 7}What man is like Job,who drinks up derision like water?^{Verse 8}He keeps company with evildoersand walks with wicked men.^{Verse 9}For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothingthat he should delight in God.’^{Verse 10}Therefore listen to me,O men of understanding.Far be it from God to do wrong,and from the Almighty to act unjustly.^{Verse 11}For according to a man’s deeds He repays him;according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.^{Verse 12}Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly,and the Almighty does not pervert justice.^{Verse 13}Who gave Him charge over the earth?Who appointed Him over the whole world?^{Verse 14}If He were to set His heart to itand withdraw His Spirit and breath,^{+Verse 15}all flesh would perish togetherand mankind would return to the dust.^{Verse 16}If you have understanding, hear this;listen to my words.^{Verse 17}Could one who hates justice govern?Will you condemn the just and mighty One,^{Verse 18}who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’^{Verse 19}who is not partial to princesand does not favor rich over poor?
For they are all the work of His hands.^{Verse 20}They die in an instant,in the middle of the night.The people convulse and pass away;the mighty are removed without human hand.^{Verse 21}For His eyes are on the ways of a man,and He sees his every step.^{Verse 22}There is no darkness or deep shadowwhere the workers of iniquity can hide.^{Verse 23}For God need not examine a man furtheror have him approach for judgment.^{Verse 24}He shatters the mighty without inquiryand sets up others in their place.^{Verse 25}Therefore, He recognizes their deeds;He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.^{Verse 26}He strikes them for their wickednessin full view,^{Verse 27}because they turned aside from Himand had no regard for any of His ways.^{Verse 28}They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him,and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.^{Verse 29}But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him?When He hides His face, who can see Him?Yet He watches over both man and nation,^{Verse 30}that godless men should not rule
or lay snares for the people.^{Verse 31}Suppose someone says to God,‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.^{Verse 32}Teach me what I cannot see;if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’^{Verse 33}Should God repay you on your own termswhen you have disavowed Him?You must choose, not I;so tell me what you know.^{Verse 34}Men of understanding will declare to me,and the wise men who hear me will say:^{Verse 35}‘Job speaks without knowledge;his words lack insight.’^{Verse 36}If only Job were tried to the utmostfor answering like a wicked man.^{Verse 37}For he adds rebellion to his sin;he claps his hands among us
and multiplies his words against God.”