Job 34:1-20

Elihu continued his discourse and said, “Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who have [so much] knowledge. “For the ear puts words to the test As the palate tastes food. “Let us choose for ourselves that which is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good. “For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent], But God has taken away my right; [Job 33:9] Although I am right, I am accounted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ “What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water, Who goes in company with those who do evil And walks with wicked men? “For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he takes delight and is pleased with God and obeys Him.’ ¶“Therefore hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He would do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong. “For God pays a man according to his work, And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way. “Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. “Who put God in charge over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole world? “If God should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. [Ps 104:29; Eccl 12:7] ¶“If you now have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words. “Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern? And will you condemn Him who is just and mighty? “God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’ Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’? “Who is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands. “In a moment they die, even at midnight The people are shaken and pass away, And the powerful are taken away without a [human] hand.