Job 34

1Moreover Elihu answered, 2Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. “Hear my words, you wise men. 3as the palate tastes food. For the ear tries words, 4Let us know among ourselves what is good. Let us choose for us that which is right. 5God has taken away my right: For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, 6My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’ Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. 7who drinks scorn like water, What man is like Job, 8and walks with wicked men? Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, 9that he should delight himself with God.’ For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing 10far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: 11and cause every man to find according to his ways. For the work of a man he will render to him, 12neither will the Almighty pervert justice. Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, 13or who has appointed him over the whole world? Who put him in charge of the earth? 14If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath, If he set his heart on himself, 15and man would turn again to dust. all flesh would perish together, 16Listen to the voice of my words. “If now you have understanding, hear this. 17Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?— Shall even one who hates justice govern? 18or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’? Who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ 19nor respects the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands. Who doesn’t respect the persons of princes, 20The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand. In a moment they die, even at midnight. 21He sees all his goings. “For his eyes are on the ways of a man. 22where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, 23that he should go before God in judgment. For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, 24and sets others in their place. He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, 25He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. 26in the open sight of others; He strikes them as wicked men 27and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways, because they turned aside from following him, 28He heard the cry of the afflicted. so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. 29When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man, When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? 30that there be no one to ensnare the people. that the godless man may not reign, 31‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more. “For has any said to God, 32If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’? Teach me that which I don’t see. 33For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know. Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? 34yes, every wise man who hears me: Men of understanding will tell me, 35His words are without wisdom.’ ‘Job speaks without knowledge. 36because of his answering like wicked men. I wish that Job were tried to the end, 37He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.” For he adds rebellion to his sin.