Compare: Job 34

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Then Elihu continued:

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“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.

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For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

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Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

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For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

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Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

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What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

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He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.

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For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

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Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.

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For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.

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Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

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Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?

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If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,

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all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.

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If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.

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Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,

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who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’

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who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

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They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.

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For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.

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There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

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For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.

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He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.

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Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

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He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,

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because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.

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They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.

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But 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,

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that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.

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Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

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Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

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Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

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Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:

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‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’

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If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.

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For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”