Chapter 34

T¹hen Elihu continued: ²“Hear my words, O wise men; ³For the ear tests words ⁴Let us choose for ourselves what is right; ⁵For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, ⁶Would I lie about my case? ⁷What man is like Job, ⁸He keeps company with evildoers ⁹For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing

¹⁰Therefore listen to me, ¹¹For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; ¹²Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, ¹³Who gave Him charge over the earth? ¹⁴If He were to set His heart to it ¹⁵all flesh would perish together

¹⁶If you have understanding, hear this; ¹⁷Could one who hates justice govern? ¹⁸who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ ¹⁹who is not partial to princes ²⁰They die in an instant, ²¹For His eyes are on the ways of a man, ²²There is no darkness or deep shadow ²³For God need not examine a man further ²⁴He shatters the mighty without inquiry ²⁵Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; ²⁶He strikes them for their wickedness ²⁷because they turned aside from Him ²⁸They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, ²⁹But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? ³⁰that godless men should not rule

³¹Suppose someone says to God, ³²Teach me what I cannot see; ³³Should God repay you on your own terms ³⁴Men of understanding will declare to me, ³⁵‘Job speaks without knowledge; ³⁶If only Job were tried to the utmost ³⁷For he adds rebellion to his sin;