Job Chapter 34 of 42 about 3 min read

Job 34

What happens in this chapter

Chapter summary coming soon.

Verse 1. Then Elihu continued:

Verse 2. “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.

Verse 3. For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

Verse 4. Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

Verse 5. For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

Verse 6. Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

Verse 7. What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

Verse 8. He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

Verse 9. For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

Verse 10. Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.

Verse 11. For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.

Verse 12. Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

Verse 13. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?

Verse 14. If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

Verse 15. all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

Verse 16. If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.

Verse 17. Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

Verse 18. who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

Verse 19. who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

Verse 20. They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

Verse 21. For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.

Verse 22. There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

Verse 23. For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.

Verse 24. He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.

Verse 25. Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

Verse 26. He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,

Verse 27. because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.

Verse 28. They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.

Verse 29. But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,

Verse 30. that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.

Verse 31. Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

Verse 32. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

Verse 33. Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

Verse 34. Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:

Verse 35. ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’

Verse 36. If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.

Verse 37. For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”