Job 34:1-37 TLB

[1] Elihu continued: [2] "Listen to me, you wise men. [3] We can choose the sounds we want to listen to; we can choose the taste we want in food, [4] and we should choose to follow what is right. But first of all we must define among ourselves what is good. [5] For Job has said, 'I am innocent, but God says I'm not. [6] I am called a liar, even though I am innocent. I am horribly punished, even though I have not sinned.' [7] "Who else is as arrogant as Job? He must have spent much time with evil men, [9] for he said, 'Why waste time trying to please God?' [10] "Listen to me, you with understanding. Surely everyone knows that God doesn't sin! [11] Rather, he punishes the sinners. [12] There is no truer statement than this: God is never wicked or unjust. [13] He alone has authority over the earth and dispenses justice for the world. [14] If God were to withdraw his Spirit, [15] all life would disappear and mankind would turn again to dust. [16] "Listen now and try to understand. [17] Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the Almighty Judge? [18] Are you going to condemn this God who says to kings and nobles, 'You are wicked and unjust'? [19] For he doesn't care how great a man may be, and doesn't pay any more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all. [20] In a moment they die, and at midnight great and small shall suddenly pass away, removed by no human hand. [21] "For God carefully watches the goings on of all mankind; he sees them all. [22] No darkness is thick enough to hide evil men from his eyes, [23] so there is no need to wait for some great crime before a man is called before God in judgment. [24] Without making a big issue over it, God simply shatters the greatest of men and puts others in their places. [25] He watches what they do and in a single night he overturns them, destroying them, [26] or openly strikes them down as wicked men. [27] For they turned aside from following him, [28] causing the cry of the poor to come to the attention of God. Yes, he hears the cries of those being oppressed. [29] Yet when he chooses not to speak, who can criticize? Again, he may prevent a vile man from ruling, thus saving a nation from ruin, and he can depose an entire nation just as easily. [31] "Why don't people exclaim to their God, 'We have sinned, but we will stop,' [32] or 'We know not what evil we have done; only tell us, and we will cease at once'? [33] "Must God tailor his justice to your demands? Must he change the order of the universe to suit your whims? The answer must be obvious even to you! [34] Anyone even half bright will agree with me that you, Job, are speaking like a fool. [36] You should be given the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked about God. [37] For now you have added rebellion, arrogance, and blasphemy to your other sins."