NET Bible

Elihu’s Second Speech1

^34:1 Elihu answered:

^34:2 “Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men. ^34:3 For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food. ^34:4 Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good. ^34:5 For Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God turns away my right. ^34:6 Concerning my right, should I lie? My wound is incurable, although I am without transgression.’ ^34:7 Who is there like Job, who drinks derision like water? ^34:8 He goes about in company with evildoers; he goes along with wicked men. ^34:9 For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’

God Is Not Unjust

^34:10 “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, from the Almighty to do evil. ^34:11 For he repays a person for his work, and according to the conduct of a person, he causes the consequences to find him. ^34:12 Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. ^34:13 Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world? ^34:14 If God were to set his heart on it, and gather in his spirit and his breath, ^34:15 all flesh would perish together, and human beings would return to dust.

God Is Impartial and Omniscient

^34:16 “If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say. ^34:17 Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely Righteous One, ^34:18 who says to a king, ‘Worthless man,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked men,’ ^34:19 who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor because all of them are the work of his hands? ^34:20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; people are shaken, and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly. ^34:21 For his eyes are on the ways of an individual; he observes all a person’s steps. ^34:22 There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves. ^34:23 For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment. ^34:24 He shatters the great without inquiry and sets up others in their place. ^34:25 Therefore, he knows their deeds; he overthrows them in the night, and they are crushed. ^34:26 He strikes them for their wickedness in a place where people can see, ^34:27 because they have turned away from following him and have not understood any of his ways, ^34:28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy. ^34:29 But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike, ^34:30 so that the godless man should not rule and not lay snares for the people.

Job Is Foolish to Rebel

^34:31 “Has anyone said to God, ‘I have endured chastisement, but I will not act wrongly any more; ^34:32 teach me what I cannot see; if I have done evil, I will do so no more’? ^34:33 Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know. ^34:34 Men of understanding say to me— any wise man listening to me says— ^34:35 that Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without understanding. ^34:36 But Job will be tested to the end, because his answers are like those of wicked men. ^34:37 For he adds transgression to his sin; in our midst he claps his hands and multiplies his words against God.”