Job 34 (New International Version)

1 Then Elihu said: 2 "Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me,¹ you men of learning. 3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.² 4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right;³ let us learn together what is good.⁴ 5 "Job says, 'I am innocent,⁵ but God denies me justice.⁶ 6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar;⁷ although I am guiltless,⁸ his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'⁹ 7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water?¹⁰ 8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with wicked men.¹¹ 9 For he says, 'It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.'¹² 10 "So listen to me,¹³ you men of understanding.¹⁴ Far be it from God to do evil,¹⁵ from the Almighty to do wrong.¹⁶ 11 He repays a man for what he has done;¹⁷ he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.¹⁸ 12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,¹⁹ that the Almighty would pervert justice.²⁰ 13 Who appointed²¹ him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?²² 14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit^a23 and breath,²⁴ 15 all mankind would perish²⁵ together and man would return to the dust.²⁶ 16 "If you have understanding,²⁷ hear this; listen to what I say.²⁸ 17 Can he who hates justice govern?²⁹ Will you condemn the just and mighty One?³⁰ 18 Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles,³¹ 'You are wicked,'³² 19 who shows no partiality³³ to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor,³⁴ for they are all the work of his hands?³⁵ 20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;³⁶ the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.³⁷ 21 "His eyes are on the ways of men;³⁸ he sees their every step.³⁹ 22 There is no dark place,⁴⁰ no deep shadow,⁴¹ where evildoers can hide.⁴² 23 God has no need to examine men further,⁴³ that they should come before him for judgment.⁴⁴ 24 Without inquiry he shatters⁴⁵ the mighty⁴⁶ and sets up others in their place.⁴⁷ 25 Because he takes note of their deeds,⁴⁸ he overthrows them in the night⁴⁹ and they are crushed.⁵⁰ 26 He punishes them for their wickedness⁵¹ where everyone can see them, 27 because they turned from following him⁵² and had no regard for any of his ways.⁵³ 28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.⁵⁴ 29 But if he remains silent,⁵⁵ who can condemn him?⁵⁶ If he hides his face,⁵⁷ who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike,⁵⁸ 30 to keep a godless⁵⁹ man from ruling,⁶⁰ from laying snares for the people.⁶¹ 31 "Suppose a man says to God, 'I am guilty⁶² but will offend no more. 32 Teach me what I cannot see;⁶³ if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'⁶⁴ 33 Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent?⁶⁵ You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know. 34 "Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me, 35 'Job speaks without knowledge;⁶⁶ his words lack insight.'⁶⁷ 36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!⁶⁸ 37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands⁶⁹ among us and multiplies his words⁷⁰ against God."⁷¹