Elihu Confirms God’s Justice

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 His?

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.”