Job 34:3-37; Job 35; Job 36:1-14

Job 34:3-37

3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.

4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.

6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’

7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?

8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.

9 For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’

10 “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.

11 He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.

12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.

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

14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,

15 all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.

17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?

18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

19 who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?

20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.

22 There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.

23 God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment.

24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.

25 Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,

27 because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.

28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.

29 But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,

30 to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.

31 “Suppose someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.

32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’

33 Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.

34 “Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,

35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’

36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!

37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

Job 35

1 Then Elihu said:

2 “Do you think this is just? You say, ‘I am in the right, not God.’

3 Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me,and what do I gain by not sinning?’

4 “I would like to reply to you and to your friends with you.

5 Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you.

6 If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand?

8 Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself, and your righteousness only other people.

9 “People cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.

10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

11 who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?’

12 He does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked.

13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it.

14 How much less, then, will he listen when you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him and you must wait for him,

15 and further, that his anger never punishes and he does not take the least notice of wickedness.

16 So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words.”

Job 36:1-14

1 Elihu continued:

2 “Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.

3 I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker.

4 Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.

5 “God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.

6 He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.

7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.

8 But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction,

9 he tells them what they have done— that they have sinned arrogantly.

10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.

11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the swordand die without knowledge.

13 “The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.

14 They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines.