Job 34:25-35

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.'

Job 34:25-35 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.