Job 34:1-25

Job 34:1-28 The Message (MSG)

Elihu continued: “So, my fine friends—listen to me, and see what you think of this. Isn’t it just common sense— as common as the sense of taste— To put our heads together and figure out what’s going on here? “We’ve all heard Job say, ‘I’m in the right, but God won’t give me a fair trial. When I defend myself, I’m called a liar to my face. I’ve done nothing wrong, and I get punished anyway.’ Have you ever heard anything to beat this? Does nothing faze this man Job? Do you think he’s spent too much time in bad company, hanging out with the wrong crowd, So that now he’s parroting their line: ‘It doesn’t pay to try to please God’? “You’re veterans in dealing with these matters; certainly we’re of one mind on this. It’s impossible for God to do anything evil; no way can the Mighty One do wrong. He makes us pay for exactly what we’ve done—no more, no less. Our chickens always come home to roost. It’s impossible for God to do anything wicked, for the Mighty One to subvert justice. He’s the one who runs the earth! He cradles the whole world in his hand! If he decided to hold his breath, every man, woman, and child would die for lack of air. “So, Job, use your head; this is all pretty obvious. Can someone who hates order, keep order? Do you dare condemn the righteous, mighty God? Doesn’t God always tell it like it is, exposing corrupt rulers as scoundrels and criminals? Does he play favorites with the rich and famous and slight the poor? Isn’t he equally responsible to everybody? Don’t people who deserve it die without notice? Don’t wicked rulers tumble to their doom? When the so-called great ones are wiped out, we know God is working behind the scenes. “He has his eyes on every man and woman. He doesn’t miss a trick. There is no night dark enough, no shadow deep enough, to hide those who do evil. God doesn’t need to gather any more evidence; their sin is an open-and-shut case. He deposes the so-called high and mighty without asking questions, and replaces them at once with others. Nobody gets by with anything; overnight, judgment is signed, sealed, and delivered. He punishes the wicked for their wickedness out in the open where everyone can see it, Because they quit following him, no longer even thought about him or his ways. Their apostasy was announced by the cry of the poor; the cry of the afflicted got God’s attention.

Job 34:1-25 King James Version (KJV)

Furthermore Elihu answered and said, Hear my words, O ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, As the mouth tasteth meat. Let us choose to us judgment: Let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous: And God hath taken away my judgment. Should I lie against my right? My wound is incurable without transgression. What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scorning like water? Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men. For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man shall he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways. Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. Who hath given him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world? If he set his heart upon man, If he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust. If now thou hast understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words. Shall even he that hateth right govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is most just? Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they all are the work of his hands. In a moment shall they die, And the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: And the mighty shall be taken away without hand. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, And he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For he will not lay upon man more than right; That he should enter into judgment with God. He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, And set others in their stead. Therefore he knoweth their works, And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

Job 34:1-25 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)

Then Elihu continued and said, “Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who know. For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food. Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, But God has taken away my right; Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water, Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he is pleased with God.’ “Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong. For He pays a man according to his work, And makes him find it according to his way. Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice. Who gave Him authority over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole world? If He should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. “But if you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words. Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One, Who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ To nobles, ‘Wicked ones’; Who shows no partiality to princes Nor regards the rich above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands? In a moment they die, and at midnight People are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without a hand. “For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps. There is no darkness or deep shadow Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For He does not need to consider a man further, That he should go before God in judgment. He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. Therefore He knows their works, And He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed.

Job 34:1-25 New Century Version (NCV)

Then Elihu said: “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you who know a lot. The ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let’s decide for ourselves what is right, and let’s learn together what is good. “Job says, ‘I am not guilty, and God has refused me a fair trial. Instead of getting a fair trial, I am called a liar. I have been seriously hurt, even though I have not sinned.’ There is no other man like Job; he takes insults as if he were drinking water. He keeps company with those who do evil and spends time with wicked men, because he says, ‘It is no use to try to please God.’ “So listen to me, you who can understand. God can never do wrong! It is impossible for the Almighty to do evil. God pays people back for what they have done and gives them what their actions deserve. Truly God will never do wrong; the Almighty will never twist what is right. No one chose God to rule over the earth or put him in charge of the whole world. If God should decide to take away life and breath, then everyone would die together and turn back into dust. “If you can understand, hear this; listen to what I have to say. Can anyone govern who hates what is right? How can you blame God who is both fair and powerful? God is the one who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ or to important people, ‘You are evil.’ He is not nicer to princes than other people, nor kinder to rich people than poor people, because he made them all with his own hands. They can die in a moment, in the middle of the night. They are struck down, and then they pass away; powerful people die without help. “God watches where people go; he sees every step they take. There is no dark place or deep shadow where those who do evil can hide from him. He does not set a time for people to come before him for judging. Without asking questions, God breaks powerful people into pieces and puts others in their place. Because God knows what people do, he defeats them in the night, and they are crushed.

Job 34:1-25 American Standard Version (ASV)

Moreover Elihu answered and said, Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food. Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right: Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar; My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression. What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water, Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men? For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God. Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways. Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice. Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world? If he set his heart upon himself, If he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust. If now thou hast understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words. Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous and mighty?— Him that saith to a king, Thou art vile, Or to nobles, Ye are wicked; That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands. In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand. For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment. He breaketh in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, And setteth others in their stead. Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

Job 34:1-25 New International Version (NIV)

Then Elihu said: “Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you men of learning. For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. “Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God denies me justice. Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’ Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water? He keeps company with evildoers; he associates with the wicked. For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’ “So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. He repays everyone for what they have done; he brings on them what their conduct deserves. It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. Who appointed him over the earth? Who put him in charge of the whole world? If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all humanity would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One? Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? 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. “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide. God has no need to examine people further, that they should come before him for judgment. Without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. Because he takes note of their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

Job 34:1-25 New King James Version (NKJV)

Elihu further answered and said: “Hear my words, you wise men; Give ear to me, you who have knowledge. For the ear tests words As the palate tastes food. Let us choose justice for ourselves; Let us know among ourselves what is good. “For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, But God has taken away my justice; Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ What man is like Job, Who drinks scorn like water, Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, And walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.’ “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity. For He repays man according to his work, And makes man to find a reward according to his way. Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world? If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. “If you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words: Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just? Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’? Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands. In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; The people are shaken and pass away; The mighty are taken away without a hand. “For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps. There is no darkness nor shadow of death Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For He need not further consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment. He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. Therefore He knows their works; He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed.

Job 34:1-25 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Elihu continued his discourse and said, “Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who have [so much] knowledge. For the ear puts words to the test As the palate tastes food. Let us choose for ourselves that which is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent], But God has taken away my right; Although I am right, I am accounted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water, Who goes in company with those who do evil And walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he takes delight and is pleased with God and obeys Him.’ “Therefore hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He would do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong. For God pays a man according to his work, And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way. Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. Who put God in charge over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole world? If God should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. “If you now have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words. Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern? And will you condemn Him who is just and mighty? God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’ Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’? Who is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands. In a moment they die, even at midnight The people are shaken and pass away, And the powerful are taken away without a [human] hand. “For God’s eyes are on the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps. There is no darkness nor deep shadow Where the evildoers may hide themselves. For He sets no appointed time for a man, That he should appear before Him in judgment. He breaks mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. Therefore He knows of their works, And He overthrows them in the night, So that they are crushed and destroyed.

Job 34:1-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

Then Elihu said: “Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge. Job said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’ So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. For Job also said, ‘I am innocent, but God has taken away my rights. I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’ “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk? He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men. He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’ “Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin! The Almighty can do no wrong. He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve. Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice. Did someone else put the world in his care? Who set the whole world in place? If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust. “Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say. Could God govern if he hated justice? Are you going to condemn the almighty judge? For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’ He doesn’t care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all. In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes. We don’t set the time when we will come before God in judgment. He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and he sets up others in their place. He knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them.

Job 34:1-25 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

Then Elihu answered and said: “Hear my words, you wise men, and give ear to me, you who know; for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good. For Job has said, ‘I am in the right, and God has taken away my right; in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water, who travels in company with evildoers and walks with wicked men? For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should take delight in God.’ “Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong. For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him. Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world? If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, who says to a king, ‘Worthless one,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked man,’ who shows no partiality to princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor, for they are all the work of his hands? In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand. “For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves. For God has no need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment. He shatters the mighty without investigation and sets others in their place. Thus, knowing their works, he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.