Job 34
1 Then Elihu continued:
Then Elihu continued,
2 “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
“Listen to my words, you men who say you are wise; pay attention to what I'm saying you who think you know.
3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
The ear distinguishes words just as the palate distinguishes foods.
4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Let us discern for ourselves what is right: let us decide among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
Job said, ‘I am innocent, and God has denied me justice.
6 Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
Even though I'm right, I'm treated like a liar; I am dying from my wounds, even though I've done nothing wrong.’
7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
Has there ever been a man like Job with such a thirst for ridiculing others?
8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
He keeps company with wicked people; he associates with those who do evil.
9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
He's even said, ‘What benefit is there in being God's friend?’
10 Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
So listen to me, you men of understanding! It's impossible for God to do evil and the Almighty to do wrong.
11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
He pays people back for what they've done, and treats them as they deserve.
12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
It's absolutely sure that God doesn't act wickedly; the Almighty would never pervert justice.
13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
Who put him in charge of the earth? Who gave him the responsibility for all the world?
14 If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
If he were to withdraw his spirit, if he were to take back his breath,
15 all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
all living things would immediately die and human beings would return to dust.
16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
If you have understanding then hear this; pay attention to what I'm saying.
17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
Do you really think someone who hated justice could govern? Are you going to condemn Almighty God who always does what is right?
18 who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
He's the one who tells kings, ‘You're useless!’ or says to nobles, ‘You're wicked!’
19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
He doesn't think more of the rich than the poor, for they are all people he himself made.
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.
They die in a moment; at midnight they shudder and pass away; the mighty are gone without effort.
21 For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
For he watches what they're doing and sees everywhere they go.
22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
There is no darkness so deep where people who do evil can hide themselves from him.
23 For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
God doesn't need to examine anyone in any greater detail that they should come before him for judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
He brings down the mighty without needing an investigation; he sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
Knowing what they've done he overthrows them in a night and destroys them.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
He strikes them down for their wickedness in public where they can be seen
27 because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
because they turned away from following him, disregarding all his ways.
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
They made the poor call out to him, and he heard the cries of the oppressed.
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,
Yet if God wants to remain silent, who can condemn him? If he chooses to hide his face, who can see him? Whether it concerns a nation or an individual,
30 that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
a person who rejects God should not rule so they don't mislead people.
31 Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
If you were to say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I won't do bad things any more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
Show me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I won't do it again,’
33 Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
then should God reward you for following your own opinions since you have rejected his? You're the one who has to choose, not me! Tell us what you think.
34 Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
For people who understand—those who are wise who have heard what I said—will tell me,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
‘Job doesn't know what he's talking about. What he says doesn't make any sense.’
36 If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
If only Job were thoroughly condemned because he speaks like evil people do.
37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
Now he has added rebellion to his sins; he claps his hands at us, making long speeches full of accusations against God.”
