2
Hear my words, you wise men,
and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.
3 and listen to me, you knowledgeable ones.
Doesn’t the ear test words
as the palate tastes food?
4 as the palate tastes food?
Let us judge for ourselves what is right;
let us decide together what is good.
5
6
7
8 let us decide together what is good.
He keeps company with evildoers
and walks with wicked men.
9 and walks with wicked men.
10
Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding.
It is impossible for God to do wrong,
and for the Almighty to act unjustly.(E)
11
12
13
14
15 It is impossible for God to do wrong,
and for the Almighty to act unjustly.(E)
16
If you have understanding, hear this;
listen to what I have to say.
17
18
19 listen to what I have to say.
God is not partial(M) to princes
and does not favor the rich over the poor,
for they are all the work of His hands.
20 and does not favor the rich over the poor,
for they are all the work of His hands.
They die suddenly in the middle of the night;
people shudder, then pass away.
Even the mighty are removed without effort.
people shudder, then pass away.
Even the mighty are removed without effort.
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
because they turned aside from following Him
and did not understand any of His ways
28
29 and did not understand any of His ways
But when God is silent, who can declare Him guilty?
When He hides His face, who can see Him?
Yet He watches over both individuals and nations,
30 When He hides His face, who can see Him?
Yet He watches over both individuals and nations,
so that godless men should not rule
or ensnare the people.
or ensnare the people.
31
Suppose someone says to God,
“I have endured my punishment;
I will no longer act wickedly.
32 “I have endured my punishment;
I will no longer act wickedly.
Teach me what I cannot see;
if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”
33 if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”
Should God repay you on your terms
when you have rejected His?
You must choose, not I!
So declare what you know.
34 when you have rejected His?
You must choose, not I!
So declare what you know.
Reasonable men will say to me,
along with the wise men who hear me,
35
36 along with the wise men who hear me,
If only Job were tested to the limit,
because his answers are like those of wicked men.
37
because his answers are like those of wicked men.
Footnotes:
a.
Job 34:1: Lit answered
b.
Job 34:6: Lit arrow
c.
Job 34:23: Some emend to God has not appointed a time for man to
d.
Job 34:26: Lit In a place of spectators