Job 34:1-37 NIrV

[1] Elihu continued, [2] “Hear what I’m saying, you wise men. Listen to me, you who have learned so much. [3] Our tongues tell us what tastes good and what doesn’t. And our ears tell us what’s true and what isn’t. [4] So let’s choose for ourselves what is right. Let’s learn together what is good. [5] “Job says, ‘I’m not guilty of doing anything wrong. But God doesn’t treat me fairly. [6] Even though I’m right, he thinks I’m a liar. Even though I’m not guilty, his arrows give me wounds that can’t be healed.’ [7] Is there anyone like Job? He accuses God as easily as he drinks water. [8] He’s a companion of those who do evil. He spends his time with sinful people. [9] He asks, ‘What good is it to try to please God?’ [10] “So listen to me, you men who have understanding. God would never do what is evil. The Mighty One would never do what is wrong. [11] He pays back everyone for what they’ve done. He gives them exactly what they should get. [12] It isn’t possible for God to do wrong. The Mighty One would never treat people unfairly. [13] Who appointed him to rule over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? [14] If he really wanted to, he could hold back his spirit and breath. [15] Then everyone would die together. They would return to the dust. [16] “Job, if you have understanding, listen to me. Pay attention to what I’m saying. [17] Can someone who hates to be fair govern? Will you bring charges against the holy and mighty God? [18] He says to kings, ‘You are worthless.’ He says to nobles, ‘You are evil.’ [19] He doesn’t favor princes. He treats rich people and poor people the same. His hands created all of them. [20] They die suddenly in the middle of the night. God strikes them down, and they pass away. Even people who are mighty are removed, but not by human hands. [21] “His eyes see how people live. He watches every step they take. [22] There is no deep shadow or total darkness where those who do what is evil can hide. [23] God doesn’t need to bring charges against anyone. He knows they are guilty. So he doesn’t need to have them appear in his court to be judged. [24] He destroys the mighty without asking them questions in court. Then he sets others up in their places. [25] He knows what they do. So he crushes them during the night. [26] He punishes them for the sins they commit. He does it where everyone can see them. [27] That’s because they turned away from following him. They didn’t have respect for anything he does. [28] They caused poor people to cry out to him. He heard the cries of those who were in need. [29] But if he remains silent, who can judge him? If he turns his face away, who can see him? He rules over individual people and nations alike. [30] He keeps those who are ungodly from ruling. He keeps them from laying traps for others. [31] “Someone might say to God, ‘I’m guilty of sinning, but I won’t do it anymore. [32] Show me my sins that I’m not aware of. If I’ve done what is wrong, I won’t do it again.’ [33] But you refuse to turn away from your sins. So God won’t treat you the way you want to be treated. You must decide, Job. I can’t do it for you. So tell me what you know. [34] “You men who have understanding have spoken. You wise men who hear me have said to me, [35] ‘Job doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The things he has said don’t make any sense.’ [36] I wish Job would be given the hardest test possible! He answered like someone who is evil. [37] To his sin he adds even more sin. He claps his hands and makes fun of us. He multiplies his words against God.”