Job 34:2-22

2“Hear my words, you wise men, And listen to me, you who have [so much] knowledge.

3For the ear puts words to the test As the palate tastes food.

4Let us choose for ourselves that which is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent], But God has taken away my right;

6Although I am right, I am accounted a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

7What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water,

8Who goes in company with those who do evil And walks with wicked men?

9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing When he takes delight and is pleased with God and obeys Him.’

10“Therefore hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God that He would do wickedness, And from the Almighty to do wrong.

11For God pays a man according to his work, And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way.

12Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

13Who put God in charge over the earth? And who has laid on Him the whole world?

14If God should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath,

15All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.

16“If you now have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words.

17Shall one who hates justice [and is an enemy of right] govern? And will you condemn Him who is just and mighty?

18God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’ Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’?

19Who is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands.

20In a moment they die, even at midnight The people are shaken and pass away, And the powerful are taken away without a [human] hand.

21“For God’s eyes are on the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.

22There is no darkness nor deep shadow Where the evildoers may hide themselves.