Job 34:1-11

1 Elihu continued:

2 "So, my fine friends - listen to me, and see what you think of this.

3 Isn't it just common sense - as common as the sense of taste -

4 To put our heads together and figure out what's going on here?

5 "We've all heard Job say, 'I'm in the right, but God won't give me a fair trial.

6 When I defend myself, I'm called a liar to my face. I've done nothing wrong, and I get punished anyway.'

7 Have you ever heard anything to beat this? Does nothing faze this man Job?

8 Do you think he's spent too much time in bad company, hanging out with the wrong crowd,

9 So that now he's parroting their line: 'It doesn't pay to try to please God'?

10 "You're veterans in dealing with these matters; certainly we're of one mind on this. It's impossible for God to do anything evil; no way can the Mighty One do wrong.

11 He makes us pay for exactly what we've done - no more, no less. Our chickens always come home to roost.

Job 34:1-11 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.