Job 34:21-37 ▼

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

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

23 “For He sets no appointed time for a man, That he should appear before Him in judgment.

24 “He breaks mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place.

25 “Therefore He knows of their works, And He overthrows them in the night, So that they are crushed and destroyed.

26 “He strikes them like the wicked In a public place,

27 Because they turned aside from following Him And would not consider or show regard for any of His ways,

28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, And He heard the cry of the afflicted.

29 “When He keeps quiet, who then can condemn? When He hides His face [withdrawing His favor and help], who then can behold Him [and make supplication to Him], Whether it be a nation or a man by himself?—

30 “So that godless men would not rule Nor be snares for the people.

31 “For has anyone said to God, ‘I have endured my chastisement; I will not offend anymore;

32 Teach me what I do not see [in regard to how I have sinned]; If I have done wrong (injustice, unrighteousness), I will not do it again’?

33 “Shall God’s retribution [for your sins] be on your terms, because you refuse to accept it? For you must do the choosing, and not I; Therefore say what you [truthfully] know.

34 “Men of understanding will tell me, Indeed, every wise man who hears me [will agree],

35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom and insight.

36 ‘Job ought to be tried to the limit Because he answers like wicked men!

37 ‘For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his [unacknowledged] sin; He claps his hands among us [in open mockery and contempt of God], And he multiplies his words [of accusation] against God.’”