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Job 34 :: New International Version (NIV)

Job 34:1Then Elihu said:
Job 34:2“Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
Job 34:3For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
Job 34:4Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
Job 34:5“Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
Job 34:6Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’
Job 34:7Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
Job 34:8He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
Job 34:9For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
Job 34:10“So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
Job 34:11He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
Job 34:12It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
Job 34:13Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
Job 34:14If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit[fn] and breath,
Job 34:15all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
Job 34:16“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
Job 34:17Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
Job 34:18Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
Job 34:19who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
Job 34:20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
Job 34:21“His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
Job 34:22There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
Job 34:23God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment.
Job 34:24Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
Job 34:25Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
Job 34:26He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
Job 34:27because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
Job 34:28They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
Job 34:29But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,
Job 34:30to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
Job 34:31“Suppose someone says to God, ‘I am guilty but will offend no more.
Job 34:32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’
Job 34:33Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
Job 34:34“Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
Job 34:35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
Job 34:36Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
Job 34:37To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”
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