Job 34:21-31

21 “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do.

22 No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes.

23 We don’t set the time when we will come before God in judgment.

24 He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he sets up others in their place.

25 He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them.

26 He strikes them down because they are wicked, doing it openly for all to see.

27 For they turned away from following him. They have no respect for any of his ways.

28 They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy.

29 But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation.

30 He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people.

31 “Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’?

Job 34:21-31 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.