34:1 Then Elihu said:
34:2 “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
34:3 For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
34:4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
34:5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
34:6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
34:7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
34:8 He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
34:9 For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
34:10 “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
34:11 He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
34:12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
34:13 Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
34:14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit* and breath, / *Or Spirit
34:15 all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
34:16 “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
34:17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
34:18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
34:19 who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
34:20 They 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.
34:21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
34:22 There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
34:23 God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment.
34:24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
34:25 Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
34:26 He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
34:27 because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
34:28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
34:29 But 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,
34:30 to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
34:31 “Suppose someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.
34:32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’
34:33 Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
34:34 “Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
34:35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
34:36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
34:37 To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”