Job 34:1-37 NLT

[1] Then Elihu said: [2] "Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge. [3] Job said, 'The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.' [4] So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. [5] For Job also said, 'I am innocent, but God has taken away my rights. [6] I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.' [7] "Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk? [8] He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men. [9] He has even said, 'Why waste time trying to please God?' [10] "Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn't sin! The Almighty can do no wrong. [11] He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve. [12] Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice. [13] Did someone else put the world in his care? Who set the whole world in place? [14] If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, [15] all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust. [16] "Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say. [17] Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge? [18] For he says to kings, 'You are wicked,' and to nobles, 'You are unjust.' [19] He doesn't care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all. [20] In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. [21] "For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. [22] No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes. [23] We don't set the time when we will come before God in judgment. [24] He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he sets up others in their place. [25] He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them. [26] He strikes them down because they are wicked, doing it openly for all to see. [27] For they turned away from following him. They have no respect for any of his ways. [28] They cause the poor to cry out, catching God's attention. He hears the cries of the needy. [29] But if he chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize him? When he hides his face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation. [30] He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people. [31] "Why don't people say to God, 'I have sinned, but I will sin no more'? [32] Or 'I don't know what evil I have done-tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once'? [33] "Must God tailor his justice to your demands? But you have rejected him! The choice is yours, not mine. Go ahead, share your wisdom with us. [34] After all, bright people will tell me, and wise people will hear me say, [35] 'Job speaks out of ignorance; his words lack insight.' [36] Job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked. [37] For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against God."