Job 34

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

Elihu addresses the wise men and scholars, quoting Job's assertions that he is righteous, that God has denied him justice, and that pleasing God brings no profit. Elihu argues that God never acts unjustly or perverts justice, but repays individuals according to their deeds and governs the entire earth without partiality toward princes or the rich. He states that God's eyes observe every human step and that He shatters the mighty for their wickedness and disregard of His ways. Elihu then questions whether God should repay people on their own terms when they reject Him. Concluding his speech, Elihu declares that Job speaks without knowledge and multiplies his words against God through rebellion and sin.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹Then Elihu continued: ²“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning. ³For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. ⁴Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. ⁵For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice. ⁶Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ ⁷What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water? ⁸He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. ⁹For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ ¹⁰Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. ¹¹For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. ¹²Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. ¹³Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world? ¹⁴If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, ¹⁵all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. ¹⁶If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. ¹⁷Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, ¹⁸who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ ¹⁹who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands. ²⁰They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. ²¹For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. ²²There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide. ²³For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment. ²⁴He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place. ²⁵Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. ²⁶He strikes them for their wickedness in full view, ²⁷because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways. ²⁸They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. ²⁹But 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, ³⁰that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people. ³¹Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. ³²Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ ³³Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know. ³⁴Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say: ³⁵‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ ³⁶If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man. ³⁷For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”

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Louis Segond 1910 and Berean Standard Bible: public domain. Cross references: open-cross-ref, Creative Commons BY 4.0.