Job 34:1-37:1

1Then Elihu said:

2“Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.

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

4Let 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.

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

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

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

9For 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20They 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29But 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,

30to 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.

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

33Should 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.’

36Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man! 37To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

1Then Elihu said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

8Your 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.

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

11who teaches us more than he teaches Or night, / 11 who teaches us by the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than Or us wise by the birds in the sky?’

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

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

14How 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,

15and further, that his anger never punishes and he does not take the least notice of wickedness. Symmachus, Theodotion and Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. 16So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words.”

1Elihu continued:

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

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

4Be 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword Or will cross the river and die without knowledge.

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

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

15But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.

16“He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.

17But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you.

18Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

19Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?

20Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. The meaning of the Hebrew for verses 18-20 is uncertain.

21Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.

22“God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?

23Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?

24Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.

25All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar.

26How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.

27“He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams Or distill from the mist as rain ;

28the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind.

29Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?

30See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea.

31This is the way he governs Or nourishes the nations and provides food in abundance.

32He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. 33His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach. Or announces his coming— / the One zealous against evil

1“At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.