Job 34:31-37

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 34:31-37 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.