Job 34:2-12

2 "Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know;

3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food.

4 Let us choose what is right; let us determine among ourselves what is good.

5 For Job has said, 'I am innocent, and God has taken away my right;

6 in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'

7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,

8 who goes in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men?

9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.'

10 "Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding, far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong.

11 For according to the work of a man he will requite him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.

12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.

Job 34:2-12 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.