Job 34:12-22

12 Certainly, God will never do anything evil, and the Almighty will never pervert justice.

13 Who put him in charge of the earth? Who appointed him to be over the whole world?

14 If he thought only of himself and withdrew his Spirit and his breath,

15 all living beings would die together, and humanity would return to dust.

16 "If you understand, listen to this. Open your ears to my words!

17 Should anyone who hates justice be allowed to govern? Will you condemn the one who is righteous and mighty?

18 Should anyone [even] say to a king, 'You good-for-nothing scoundrel!' or to nobles, 'You wicked people!'

19 The one who is righteous and mighty does not grant special favors to princes or prefer important people over poor people because his hands made them all.

20 They die suddenly in the middle of the night. People have seizures and pass away. Mighty people are taken away but not by human hands.

21 God's eyes are on a person's ways. He sees all his steps.

22 There's no darkness or deep shadow where troublemakers can hide.

Job 34:12-22 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.