Job 34:1-37 ICB

[1] Then Elihu said: [2] "Hear my words, you men who think you are wise. Listen to me, you men who think you know a lot. [3] The ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. [4] Let's decide for ourselves what is right. And let's learn together what is good. [5] "Job says, 'I am not guilty. But God has refused me a fair trial. [6] Instead of getting a fair trial, I am called a liar. I have been seriously hurt, even though I have not sinned.' [7] There is no other man like Job. He takes insults as if he were drinking water. [8] He is around people who do evil. He spends time with wicked men. [9] This is because he says, 'It does not help a man to try and please God.' [10] "So listen to me, you who can understand. God All-Powerful can never do wrong! It is impossible for God to do evil. [11] God pays a person back for what he has done. God gives him what his actions deserve. [12] Truly God will never do wrong! God All-Powerful will never twist what is right. [13] No one chose God to rule over the earth. No one put him in charge of the whole world. [14] God could decide to take away his spirit and breath. [15] If he did, all people would die together. And they would all turn back into dust. [16] "If you can understand, hear this. Listen to what I have to say. [17] Can anyone govern who hates what is right? How can you blame God who is both fair and powerful? [18] God is the one who says to kings, 'You are worth nothing.' And he says to important people, 'You are evil.' [19] God is not better to princes than other people. He is not better to rich people than poor people. This is because he made them all with his own hands. [20] They can die in a moment, in the middle of the night. The rich are struck down, and then they pass away. Powerful people die without man's help. [21] "God watches where people go. He sees every step they take. [22] There is no dark place or deep shadow where those who do evil can hide from God. [23] God does not need to watch people more closely. He does not need for men to come before him for judging. [24] Without asking questions, God breaks powerful people into pieces. And he puts other people in their place. [25] This is because God knows what people do. He defeats them in the night, and they are crushed. [26] He punishes them for the evil things they do. He does it so that everyone else can watch. [27] This is because they stopped following God. They did not care about any of his ways. [28] God lets the cry of poor people reach him. He hears the cry of the needy. [29] But if God keeps quiet, who can blame him? If he hides his face, no one can see him. But God still rules over both men and nations. [30] He still keeps wicked men from ruling. And he keeps them from trapping others. [31] "But suppose such a man says to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not sin anymore. [32] Teach me what I cannot see. If I have done wrong, I will not do it again.' [33] So, Job, should God reward you the way you want when you will not change your heart and life? You must decide, not I. So tell me what you know. [34] "Men who understand speak. And wise men who hear me say, [35] 'Job speaks without knowing what is true. His words show he does not understand.' [36] I wish Job would be tested completely because he answered like an evil man! [37] Job has sinned, and now he turns against God. He claps his hands as an insult. And he speaks more and more against God."