Job 34:1-37 AMP

[1] Elihu continued his discourse and said, [2] “Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who have [so much] knowledge. [3] For the ear puts words to the test As the palate tastes food. [4] Let us choose for ourselves that which is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good. [5] For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent], But God has taken away my right; [6] Although I am right, I am accounted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ [7] What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water, [8] Who goes in company with those who do evil And walks with wicked men? [9] For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he takes delight and is pleased with God and obeys Him.’ [10] “Therefore hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He would do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong. [11] For God pays a man according to his work, And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way. [12] Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. [13] Who put God in charge over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole world? [14] If God should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath, [15] All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. [16] “If you now have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words. [17] Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern? And will you condemn Him who is just and mighty? [18] God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’ Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’? [19] Who is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands. [20] In a moment they die, even at midnight The people are shaken and pass away, And the powerful are taken away without a [human] hand. [21] “For God’s eyes are on the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps. [22] There is no darkness nor deep shadow Where the evildoers may hide themselves. [23] For He sets no appointed time for a man, That he should appear before Him in judgment. [24] He breaks mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. [25] Therefore He knows of their works, And He overthrows them in the night, So that they are crushed and destroyed. [26] He strikes them like the wicked In a public place, [27] Because they turned aside from following Him And would not consider or show regard for any of His ways, [28] So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, And He heard the cry of the afflicted. [29] When He keeps quiet, who then can condemn? When He hides His face [withdrawing His favor and help], who then can behold Him [and make supplication to Him], Whether it be a nation or a man by himself?— [30] So that godless men would not rule Nor be snares for the people. [31] “For has anyone said to God, ‘I have endured my chastisement; I will not offend anymore; [32] Teach me what I do not see [in regard to how I have sinned]; If I have done wrong (injustice, unrighteousness), I will not do it again’? [33] Shall God’s retribution [for your sins] be on your terms, because you refuse to accept it? For you must do the choosing, and not I; Therefore say what you [truthfully] know. [34] Men of understanding will tell me, Indeed, every wise man who hears me [will agree], [35] ‘Job speaks without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom and insight. [36] Job ought to be tried to the limit Because he answers like wicked men! [37] For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his [unacknowledged] sin; He claps his hands among us [in open mockery and contempt of God], And he multiplies his words [of accusation] against God.’”