✧Then Elihu continued: ✧2“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning. ✧3For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. ✧4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. ✧5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice. ✧6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ ✧7What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water? ✧8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. ✧9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ ✧10Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. ✧11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. ✧12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. ✧13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world? ✧14If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, ✧15all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. ✧16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. ✧17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, ✧18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ ✧19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands. ✧20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. ✧21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. ✧22There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide. ✧23For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment. ✧24He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place. ✧25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. ✧26He strikes them for their wickedness in full view, ✧27because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways. ✧28They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. ✧29But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation, ✧30that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people. ✧31Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. ✧32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ ✧33Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know. ✧34Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say: ✧35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ ✧36If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man. ✧37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”