The Father Does No Wrong
34 1 Then Elihu continued and said: 2 "Hear my words, you wise men; give ear to me, you who know. 3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. 4 Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, and God has taken away my justice; 6 though I am in the right, I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.' 7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, 8 who keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men? 9 For he has said, 'A man gains nothing by delighting in God.' 10 Therefore hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do wrong. 11 For according to the work of a man he repays him, and according to his ways he brings it upon him. 12 Surely God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. 13 Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world? 14 If he should set his heart on man and withdraw his spirit and his breath, 15 all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. 16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to the sound of my words. 17 Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, 18 who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked men,' 19 who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich above the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? 20 In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. 21 For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. 22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where evildoers may hide themselves. 23 For God has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment. a a v23 Elihu's point: God needs no formal hearing or set appointment to bring judgment — he simply acts. 24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets others in their place. 25 Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed. 26 He strikes them for their wickedness in the sight of onlookers, 27 because they turned aside from following him and had no regard for any of his ways, 28 so that they drove the poor to cry out to him, and he heard the cry of the afflicted. 29 When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can see him — whether it is a nation or a man — 30 so that no godless man may reign or ensnare the people. 31 For has anyone said to God, 'I have borne my punishment; I will offend no more; 32 teach me what I do not see; if I have done wrong, I will do it no more'? 33 Will he repay it on your terms because you reject it? For you must choose, not I; therefore declare what you know. 34 Men of understanding will say to me, and every wise man who hears me will say, 35 'Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.' 36 If only Job were tested to the limit for answering like wicked men! 37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he mocks us openly and multiplies his words against God.