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34:1  Then Elihu said:
34:2  ‘Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning.
34:3  For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.
34:4  Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
34:5  ‘Job says, “I am innocent, but God denies me justice.
34:6  Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.”
34:7  Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
34:8  He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked.
34:9  For he says, “There is no profit in trying to please God.”
34:10  ‘So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong.
34:11  He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
34:12  It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
34:13  Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world?
34:14  If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,
34:15  all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
34:16  ‘If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.
34:17  Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
34:18  Is he not the One who says to kings, “You are worthless,” and to nobles, “You are wicked,”
34:19  who shows no partiality to princes and does not favour the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?
34:20  They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
34:21  ‘His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.
34:22  There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.
34:23  God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before him for judgment.
34:24  Without enquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place.
34:25  Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
34:26  He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them,
34:27  because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways.
34:28  They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he heard the cry of the needy.
34:29  But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over individual and nation alike,
34:30  to keep the godless from ruling, from laying snares for the people.
34:31  ‘Suppose someone says to God, “I am guilty but will offend no more.
34:32  Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.”
34:33  Should God then reward you on your terms, when you refuse to repent? You must decide, not I; so tell me what you know.
34:34  ‘Men of understanding declare, wise men who hear me say to me,
34:35  “Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.”
34:36  Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
34:37  To his sin he adds rebellion; scornfully he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.’