Job 34:4-14

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.

12 It's impossible for God to do anything wicked, for the Mighty One to subvert justice.

13 He's the one who runs the earth! He cradles the whole world in his hand!

14 If he decided to hold his breath,

Job 34:4-14 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.