Job 34

2“Listen to me, you wise men.Pay attention, you who have knowledge.

3Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hearsjust as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’

4So let us discern for ourselves what is right;let us learn together what is good.

5For Job also said, ‘I am innocent,but God has taken away my rights.

6Lam innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’

7“Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job,with his thirst for irreverent talk?

8He chooses evil people as companions.He spends his time with wicked men.

9He has even said, ‘Why waste timetrying to please God?’

10“Listen to me, you who have understanding.Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin!The Almighty can do no wrong.

11He repays people according to their deeds.He treats people as they deserve.

12Truly, God will not do wrong.The Almighty will not twist justice.

13Did someone else put the world in his care?Who set the whole world in place?

14If God were to take back his spiritand withdraw his breath,15 all life would cease,and humanity would turn again to dust.

16“Now listen to me if you are wise.Pay attention to what I say.

17Could God govern if he hated justice?Are you going to condemn the almighty judge?

18For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’

19He doesn’t care how great a person may be,and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor.He made them all.

20Ina moment they die.In the middle of the night they pass away;the mighty are removed without human hand.

21“For God watches how people live;he sees everything they do.

22No darkness is thick enoughto hide the wicked from his eyes.

23We don't set the timewhen we will come before God in judgment.

24He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone,and he sets up others in their place.

25He knows what they do,and in the night he overturns and destroys them.

26He strikes them down because they are wicked,doing it openly for all to see.

27For they turned away from following him.They have no respect for any of his ways.

28They cause the poor to cry out, catching God's attention.He hears the cries of the needy.

29But if he chooses to remain quiet,who can criticize him?

When he hides his face, no one can find him,whether an individual or a nation.

30He prevents the godless from rulingso they cannot be a snare to the people.

31“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned,but I will sin no more’?

3333 “Must God tailor his justice to your demands?But you have rejected him!The choice is yours, not mine.Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.

34After all, bright people will tell me,and wise people will hear me say,

35‘Job speaks out of ignorance;his words lack insight.’

36Job, you deserve the maximum penaltyfor the wicked way you have talked.

37For you have added rebellion to your sin;you show no respect,and you speak many angry words against God.”