Job 34:19-37

19 who is neither partial toward princes nor favors the rich over the poor, since they all are the work of his hands.
20 They may die in a moment, in the middle of the night -the people are shaken and pass away, the mighty are removed without human hands.
21 For he keeps watch on a person's ways; he sees his every step.
22 There is no darkness, no death-like gloom, where wrongdoers can hide;
23 for he doesn't give warning to people when they must appear before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without needing to investigate and sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore, aware of what they are doing, he overturns them by night, and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them as if they were common criminals in the open sight of others,
27 because they turned away from following him and gave no thought to any of his ways,
28 thereby bringing before him the cries of the poor; and he hears the cries of the oppressed.
29 "But if God is silent, who can accuse him; if he hides his face, who can see him? He may do this to nations and persons alike,
30 so that godless men will not become kings, and the people will not be lured into traps.
31 "For has anyone said to God, 'I have been chastised without having offended;
32 teach me what I have failed to see; and if I have done wrong, I will do it no more'?
33 Must his rewards meet your approval? Well, you are the one who doesn't like them, so you, not I, should pick the alternative; come on, say what you think!
34 Intelligent people will tell me, every wise man who hears me will say,
35 'Iyov is speaking without thinking; his words lack discernment.'
36 "I wish Iyov would be kept on trial forever, because he answers like wicked men.
37 For now to his sin he adds rebellion; he [mockingly] claps his hands among us and keeps adding to his words against God."

Job 34:19-37 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 34

In this chapter Elihu reassumes his discourse, and proceeds in his answer to Job, in which are first a preface exciting attention, Job 34:1-4; then a charge is brought against Job, expressed in or extracted from some words that dropped from his lips, not so well guarded, Job 34:5-9; a refutation of these expressions of his in a variety of arguments, Job 34:10-30; and the chapter is closed with some good advice to Job, Job 34:31-33; and with an earnest request of Elihu to men of understanding, to join with him in trying him to the uttermost, Job 34:34-37.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.