Job 34:13-23

13 No one chose God to rule over the earth or put him in charge of the whole world.

14 If God should decide to take away life and breath,

15 then everyone would die together and turn back into dust.

16 "If you can understand, hear this; listen to what I have to say.

17 Can anyone govern who hates what is right? and powerful?

18 God is the one who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' or to important people, 'You are evil.'

19 He is not nicer to princes than other people, nor kinder to rich people than poor people, because he made them all with his own hands.

20 They can die in a moment, in the middle of the night. They are struck down, and then they pass away; powerful people die without help.

21 "God watches where people go; he sees every step they take.

22 There is no dark place or deep shadow where those who do evil can hide from him.

23 He does not set a time for people to come before him for judging.

Job 34:13-23 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.