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Job 34 (CEV)

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¹ Elihu said: ² You men think you are wise, but just listen to me! ³ Think about my words, as you would taste food. ⁴ Then we can decide the case and give a just verdict. ⁵ Job claims he is innocent and God is guilty of mistreating him. ⁶ Job also argues that God considers him a liar and that he is suffering severely in spite of his innocence. ⁷ But to tell the truth, Job is shameless! ⁸ He spends his time with sinners, ⁹ because he has said, "It doesn't pay to please God." ¹⁰ If any of you are smart, you will listen and learn that God All-Powerful does what is right. ¹¹ God always treats everyone the way they deserve, ¹² and he is never unfair. ¹³ From the very beginning, God has been in control of all the world. ¹⁴ If God took back the breath that he breathed into us, ¹⁵ we humans would die and return to the soil. ¹⁶ So be smart and listen! ¹⁷ The mighty God is the one who brings about justice, and you are condemning him. ¹⁸ Indeed, God is the one who condemns unfair rulers. ¹⁹ And God created us all; he has no favorites, whether rich or poor. ²⁰ Even powerful rulers die in the darkness of night when they least expect it, just like the rest of us. ²¹ God watches everything we do. ²² No evil person can hide in the deepest darkness. ²³ And so, God doesn't need to set a time for judgment. ²⁴ Without asking for advice, God removes mighty leaders and puts others in their place. ²⁵ He knows what they are like, and he wipes them out in the middle of the night. ²⁶ And while others look on, he punishes them because they were evil ²⁷ and refused to obey him. ²⁸ The persons they mistreated had prayed for help, until God answered their prayers. ²⁹ When God does nothing, can any person or nation find fault with him? ³⁰ But still, he punishes rulers who abuse their people. ³¹ Job, you should tell God that you are guilty and promise to do better. ³² Then ask him to point out what you did wrong, so you won't do it again. ³³ Do you make the rules, or does God? You have to decide-- I can't do it for you; now make up your mind. ³⁴ Job, anyone with good sense can easily see ³⁵ that you are speaking nonsense and lack good judgment. ³⁶ So I pray for you to suffer as much as possible for talking like a sinner. ³⁷ You have rebelled against God, time after time, and have even insulted us.