Job 34

1Then Elihu answered: 2Hear my words, you who are wise; listen to me, you who have knowledge. 3For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. 4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us decide together what is good. 5For Job has said, “I am in the right, but God has denied me justice. 6Though I am in the right, I am called a liar; my wound from the arrow cannot be healed, though I have not rebelled.” 7Who is there like Job, who drinks up scorn like water? 8He keeps company with evildoers and goes about with the wicked. 9For he has said, “It does no one any good to be on good terms with God.” 10So listen to me, you people of understanding: God would never do evil, the Almighty would never do wrong. 11For he pays people back for what they do; he brings on each one what their conduct deserves. 12Truly, God will never do wrong; the Almighty will never twist justice. 13Who gave him charge over the earth? Who put him over the whole world? 14If he were to set his mind on himself alone and gather back to himself his spirit and breath, 15every living thing would die at once, and human beings would return to dust. 16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I am saying. 17Can one who hates justice rule? Will you condemn the one who is righteous and mighty? 18Would anyone say to a king, “You worthless man!” or to nobles, “You wicked men!”? 19How much less to one who shows no favor to princes and does not regard the rich above the poor, for they are all the work of his hands! 20In an instant they die; at midnight people are shaken and pass away; the mighty are removed, and no human hand does it. 21For his eyes are on the ways of everyone; he sees every step they take. 22There is no darkness, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide. 23For he does not need to set a time for anyone to come before God for judgment. 24He shatters the mighty without any inquiry and sets others in their place. 25Because he knows what they do, he overthrows them in the night, and they are crushed. 26He strikes them down for their wickedness where everyone can see, 27because they turned away from following him and paid no attention to any of his ways, 28so that they made the cry of the poor reach him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted. 29If he stays silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he rules over nation and individual alike, 30so that the godless may not rule and lay snares for the people. 31Suppose someone says to God, “I have borne my punishment; I will not do wrong again. 32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will do it no more.” 33Should he repay on your terms when you have rejected his way? You must choose, not I; so tell us what you know. 34People of understanding will say to me, and so will any wise person who hears me: 35Job speaks without knowledge; his words show no insight. 36If only Job were tested to the limit for answering like the wicked! 37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands at us in scorn and piles up his words against God.