Job 34

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 Him? 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.”

1Of David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, so that the king drove him away. I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

2My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice.

3Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.

4I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

5Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

6This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles.

7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

8Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

9Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.

10Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days?

13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

16But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

17The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles.

18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.

19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

20He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.

21Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.

22The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.