VerseAI

NIV

Job 34

  1. 1<pb/>Then Elihu said:
  2. 2<pb/><t>“Hear my words, you wise men;</t> <t>listen to me, you men of learning.</t>
  3. 3<t>For the ear tests words</t> <t>as the tongue tastes food.</t>
  4. 4<t>Let us discern for ourselves what is right;</t> <t>let us learn together what is good. <pb/></t>
  5. 5<t>“Job says, ‘I am innocent,</t> <t>but God denies me justice.</t>
  6. 6<t>Although I am right,</t> <t>I am considered a liar;</t> <t>although I am guiltless,</t> <t>his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’</t>
  7. 7<t>Is there anyone like Job,</t> <t>who drinks scorn like water?</t>
  8. 8<t>He keeps company with evildoers;</t> <t>he associates with the wicked.</t>
  9. 9<t>For he says, ‘There is no profit</t> <t>in trying to please God.’ <pb/></t>
  10. 10<t>“So listen to me, you men of understanding.</t> <t>Far be it from God to do evil,</t> <t>from the Almighty to do wrong.</t>
  11. 11<t>He repays everyone for what they have done;</t> <t>he brings on them what their conduct deserves.</t>
  12. 12<t>It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,</t> <t>that the Almighty would pervert justice.</t>
  13. 13<t>Who appointed him over the earth?</t> <t>Who put him in charge of the whole world?</t>
  14. 14<t>If it were his intention</t> <t>and he withdrew his spirit<f>[57]</f> and breath,</t>
  15. 15<t>all humanity would perish together</t> <t>and mankind would return to the dust. <pb/></t>
  16. 16<t>“If you have understanding, hear this;</t> <t>listen to what I say.</t>
  17. 17<t>Can someone who hates justice govern?</t> <t>Will you condemn the just and mighty One?</t>
  18. 18<t>Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’</t> <t>and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’</t>
  19. 19<t>who shows no partiality to princes</t> <t>and does not favor the rich over the poor,</t> <t>for they are all the work of his hands?</t>
  20. 20<t>They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;</t> <t>the people are shaken and they pass away;</t> <t>the mighty are removed without human hand. <pb/></t>
  21. 21<t>“His eyes are on the ways of mortals;</t> <t>he sees their every step.</t>
  22. 22<t>There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness,</t> <t>where evildoers can hide.</t>
  23. 23<t>God has no need to examine people further,</t> <t>that they should come before him for judgment.</t>
  24. 24<t>Without inquiry he shatters the mighty</t> <t>and sets up others in their place.</t>
  25. 25<t>Because he takes note of their deeds,</t> <t>he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.</t>
  26. 26<t>He punishes them for their wickedness</t> <t>where everyone can see them,</t>
  27. 27<t>because they turned from following him</t> <t>and had no regard for any of his ways.</t>
  28. 28<t>They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,</t> <t>so that he heard the cry of the needy.</t>
  29. 29<t>But if he remains silent, who can condemn him?</t> <t>If he hides his face, who can see him?</t> <t>Yet he is over individual and nation alike,</t>
  30. 30<t>to keep the godless from ruling,</t> <t>from laying snares for the people. <pb/></t>
  31. 31<t>“Suppose someone says to God,</t> <t>‘I am guilty but will offend no more.</t>
  32. 32<t>Teach me what I cannot see;</t> <t>if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’</t>
  33. 33<t>Should God then reward you on your terms,</t> <t>when you refuse to repent?</t> <t>You must decide, not I;</t> <t>so tell me what you know. <pb/></t>
  34. 34<t>“Men of understanding declare,</t> <t>wise men who hear me say to me,</t>
  35. 35<t>‘Job speaks without knowledge;</t> <t>his words lack insight.’</t>
  36. 36<t>Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost</t> <t>for answering like a wicked man!</t>
  37. 37<t>To his sin he adds rebellion;</t> <t>scornfully he claps his hands among us</t> <t>and multiplies his words against God.”</t>