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Elihu Confirms God’s Justice

Verse1Then Elihu continued:

Verse2“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.

Verse3For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

Verse4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

Verse5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

Verse6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

Verse7What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

Verse8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

Verse9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

Verse10Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.

Verse11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.

Verse12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

Verse13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?

Verse14If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

Verse15all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

Verse16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.

Verse17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

Verse18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

Verse19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

Verse20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

Verse21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.

Verse22There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

Verse23For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.

Verse24He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.

Verse25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

Verse26He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,

Verse27because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.

Verse28They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.

Verse29But 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,

Verse30that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.

Verse31Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

Verse32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

Verse33Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

Verse34Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:

Verse35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’

Verse36If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.

Verse37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”