> [[job-33|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-35|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 34 ## Chapter 34 1 Then Elihu answered and said: ^job-34-1 2 Hear my discourse, you that are wise; ^job-34-2 you that have knowledge, listen to me! 3 For the ear tests words, ^job-34-3 as the palate tastes food. 4 Let us choose what is right; ^job-34-4 let us determine among ourselves what is good. 5 For Job has said, “I am innocent, ^job-34-5 but God has taken away what is my right. 6 I declare the judgment on me to be a lie; ^job-34-6 my arrow-wound is incurable, sinless though I am.” 7 What man is like Job? ^job-34-7 He drinks in blasphemies like water, 8 Keeps company with evildoers ^job-34-8 and goes along with the wicked, 9 When he says, “There is no profit ^job-34-9 in pleasing God.” 10 Therefore, you that have understanding, hear me: ^job-34-10 far be it from God to do wickedness; far from the Almighty to do wrong! 11 Rather, he requites mortals for their conduct, ^job-34-11 and brings home to them their way of life. 12 Surely, God cannot act wickedly, ^job-34-12 the Almighty cannot pervert justice. 13 Who gave him charge over the earth, ^job-34-13 or who set all the world in its place? 14 If he were to set his mind to it, ^job-34-14 gather to himself his spirit and breath, 15 All flesh would perish together, ^job-34-15 and mortals return to dust. 16 Now you—understand, hear this! ^job-34-16 Listen to the words I speak! 17 Can an enemy of justice be in control, ^job-34-17 will you condemn the supreme Just One, 18 Who says to a king, “You are worthless!” ^job-34-18 and to nobles, “You are wicked!” 19 Who neither favors the person of princes, ^job-34-19 nor respects the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of his hands; 20 in a moment they die, even at midnight. ^job-34-20 People are shaken, and pass away, the powerful are removed without lifting a hand; 21 For his eyes are upon our ways, ^job-34-21 and all our steps he sees. 22 There is no darkness so dense ^job-34-22 that evildoers can hide in it. 23 For no one has God set a time ^job-34-23 to come before him in judgment. 24 Without inquiry he shatters the mighty, ^job-34-24 and appoints others in their place, 25 Thus he discerns their works; ^job-34-25 overnight they are crushed. 26 Where the wicked are, he strikes them, ^job-34-26 in a place where all can see, 27 Because they turned away from him ^job-34-27 and did not understand his ways at all: 28 And made the cry of the poor reach him, ^job-34-28 so that he heard the cry of the afflicted. 29 If he is silent, who then can condemn? ^job-34-29 If he hides his face, who then can behold him, whether nation or individual? 30 Let an impious man not rule, ^job-34-30 nor those who ensnare their people. 31 Should anyone say to God, ^job-34-31 “I accept my punishment; I will offend no more; 32 What I cannot see, teach me: ^job-34-32 if I have done wrong, I will do so no more,” 33 Would you then say that God must punish, ^job-34-33 when you are disdainful? It is you who must choose, not I; speak, therefore, what you know. 34 Those who understand will say to me, ^job-34-34 all the wise who hear my views: 35 “Job speaks without knowledge, ^job-34-35 his words make no sense. 36 Let Job be tested to the limit, ^job-34-36 since his answers are those of the impious; 37 For he is adding rebellion to his sin ^job-34-37 by brushing off our arguments and addressing many words to God.” \* (34:1) Elihu replies, although no one else has spoken. This connective phrase (see also [35:1] and [36:1]) may indicate that these speeches of Elihu are a secondary addition to the book (see note on [32:2]). \* (34:16) Now you: Elihu turns to Job and addresses him directly. \* (34:26], [29] – [30) The extant Hebrew text of these verses is obscure. a. (34:3) [Jb 12:11]. b. (34:5) [Jb 33:9] – [10]. c. (34:6) [Jb 9:20]. d. (34:9) [Jb 9:22] – [23], [30] – [31]; [21:15]; [35:3]. e. (34:10) [Jb 36:23]. f. (34:11) [Ps 62:13]; [Prv 24:12]; ([[matthew-16|Mt 16]]:27]; ([[romans-02|Rom 2]]:6]; ([[2-corinthians-05|2 Cor 5]]:10]; [Rv 22:12]. g. (34:12) [Jb 8:3]. h. (34:13) [Jb 38:4] – [7]. i. (34:15) [Jb 10:9]. j. (34:19) [Dt 10:17]; [2 Chr 19:7]; ([[wisdom-06|Wis 6]]:7]; ([[acts-of-the-apostles-10|Acts 10]]:34]; ([[romans-02|Rom 2]]:11]; [Eph 6:9]; [Col 3:25]; [1 Pt 1:17]. k. (34:20) [Jb 21:13]. l. (34:24) ([[psalm-02|Ps 2]]:9]. m. (34:35) [Jb 35:16]; [38:2]; [42:3]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-33|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-35|Next →]]