2Hear my words, O you wise men; and give ear unto me, you that have knowledge.
3For the ear tests words, as the mouth tastes food.
4Let us choose for us justice: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5For Job has said, I am righteous: and God has taken away my justice.
6Should I lie concerning my right? my wound is incurable though I am without transgression.
7What man is like Job, who drinks up scorn like water?
8Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men.
9For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10Therefore hearken unto me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13Who has given him charge over the earth? or who has laid on him the whole world?
14If he should set his heart upon man, if he should gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again unto dust.
16If now you have understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just?
18Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?
19How much less to him that regards not the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without a hand.
21For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his steps.
22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23For he will not lay upon man more than what is right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their place.
25Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted.
29When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30That the hypocrite reigns not, lest the people be ensnared.
31Surely it is fitting to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32That which I see not you teach me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I: therefore declare what you know.
34Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because he answers like wicked men.
37For he adds rebellion unto his sin, he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.
Commentaries for Job 34:0