Job 34:16-26

16 "So, Job, use your head; this is all pretty obvious.

17 Can someone who hates order, keep order? Do you dare condemn the righteous, mighty God?

18 Doesn't God always tell it like it is, exposing corrupt rulers as scoundrels and criminals?

19 Does he play favorites with the rich and famous and slight the poor? Isn't he equally responsible to everybody?

20 Don't people who deserve it die without notice? Don't wicked rulers tumble to their doom? When the so-called great ones are wiped out, we know God is working behind the scenes.

21 "He has his eyes on every man and woman. He doesn't miss a trick.

22 There is no night dark enough, no shadow deep enough, to hide those who do evil.

23 God doesn't need to gather any more evidence; their sin is an open-and-shut case.

24 He deposes the so-called high and mighty without asking questions, and replaces them at once with others.

25 Nobody gets by with anything; overnight, judgment is signed, sealed, and delivered.

26 He punishes the wicked for their wickedness out in the open where everyone can see it,

Job 34:16-26 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.