Job 34 Elihu Accuses Job of Speaking Unfairly of God

 Job 34

Elihu Accuses Job of Speaking Unfairly of God

1 Then Elihu answered and said,

2 Hear my words, you wise men; and, you who have understanding, give ear to me.

3 For the ear tests words as the palate tests food.

4 Let us choose what is right for ourselves; and let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 For Job said, "I am righteous, and God has taken away my right."

6 Despite my right, I am found a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.

7 Who is like Job, who drinks mockery like water?

8 Who walks in the company of workers of iniquity, and associates with wicked men?

9 For he said, "It profits a man nothing to delight himself in God." 

10 Therefore, you men of understanding, listen to me. Far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do wickedness! 

11 For according to a man's work he will repay him, and he will cause every man to find according to his way. 

12 And indeed God will not do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

 13 Who has given him the government of the earth? And who has ordained the whole world? 

14 If he should set his heart against man, and should gather to himself his spirit and his breath, 

15 All flesh would perish together, and man would return to the dust. 

16 If there is understanding in you, hear this; incline your ear to the voice of my speech. 

17 Should he who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the just and mighty? 

18 Or will they say to a king, "Oh, Belial!" Or to princes, Oh, the wicked!

19 How much less he who shows no partiality to princes, nor esteems the rich more than the poor, for all are the work of his hands!

20 In a moment they die; and at midnight the people are troubled and pass away, and the mighty are taken without hand.

21 For his eyes are on the ways of every man, and he sees all his steps.

22 There is no darkness nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity hide.

23 For a man does not need much consideration to bring him to judgment before God.

24 He breaks down the mighty, without inquiry, and sets others in their place.

25 For he knows their works; in the night he overthrows them, and they are crushed.

26 He strikes them as the wicked in the sight of him who sees them; 

27 Because they have turned away from him, and have not understood any of his ways; 

28 That he might cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and that he might hear the cry of the afflicted.

 29 If he be silent, who then can disturb? If he hide his face, who then can behold him, whether it be for a people, or for one man? 

30 That the hypocrite may never reign, and there be no snare in the people. 

31 Surely he who said to God, "I have suffered, I will sin no more"; 

32 What I do not see, teach me; if I have done anything wicked, I will do it no more. 

33 How shall my recompense come from you, that you should despise it? Therefore, you, and not I, choose; who then is he that knoweth? Speak. 

34 Men of understanding will say with me, and the wise man that heareth me, 

35 Job spoke without knowledge; and his words lack prudence.

36 My father, let Job be tested to the end by his answers, like those of evil men.

37 For he adds transgression to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his arguments against God.