Job 34

1. Elihu continued speaking:

2. “Hear my words, you sages! 2 Listen to me, you who know so much!

3. For the ear tests words, 3 just as the palate tastes food.

4. Let’s choose for ourselves what is just; 4 let’s decide among ourselves what is good.

5. For Iyov says, ‘I am in the right, 5 but God is denying me justice.

6. Against justice, I am considered a liar; 6 my wound is mortal, though I committed no crime.’

7. “Is there a man like Iyov, 7 who drinks in scoffing like water,

8. who keeps company with evildoers 8 and goes with wicked men,

9. since he thinks, ‘It profits a person nothing 9 to be in accord with God’?

10. “So listen to me, you men with sense! 10 Far be it from God to do anything wicked!

11. For he pays people back for what they do 11 and sees that each gets what his conduct deserves.

12. It is certain that God does nothing wicked; 12 Shaddai will not pervert justice.

13. Did someone else put him in charge of the earth? 13 Who else established the entire world?

14. If he were to take back man’s heart to himself, 14 if he gathered to himself his spirit and breath;

15. all flesh would instantly perish, 15 everyone would return to dust.

16. “If you have any sense, [Iyov,] hear this; 16 listen to what I am saying.