10 Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding.
It is impossible for God to do wrong,
and for the Almighty to act unjustly.(A)
11 For he repays(B) a person according to his deeds,
and he gives him what his conduct deserves.[a]
12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly
and the Almighty does not pervert justice.(C)
13 Who gave him authority over the earth?
Who put him in charge of the entire world?(D)
14 If he put his mind to it
and withdrew the spirit(E) and breath he gave,
15 every living thing would perish together
and mankind would return to the dust.(F)

16 If you have understanding, hear this;
listen to what I have to say.
17 Could one who hates justice govern the world?
Will you condemn the mighty Righteous One,(G)
18 who says to a king, “Worthless man!”
and to nobles, “Wicked men!”?(H)
19 God is not partial(I) to princes
and does not favor the rich over the poor,
for they are all the work of his hands.
20 They die suddenly in the middle of the night;
people shudder, then pass away.
Even the mighty are removed without effort.

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Footnotes

  1. 34:11 Lit and like a path of a man, he causes him to find

10 “Therefore, hear me, you who have sense;
    far be it from God that he should do wickedness
    and from the Almighty[a] that he should do wrong.(A)
11 For according to their deeds he will repay them,
    and according to their ways he will make it befall them.(B)
12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly,
    and the Almighty[b] will not pervert justice.(C)
13 Who gave him charge over the earth,
    and who laid on him[c] the whole world?(D)
14 If he should take back his spirit[d] to himself
    and gather to himself his breath,(E)
15 all flesh would perish together,
    and all mortals return to dust.(F)

16 “If you have understanding, hear this;
    listen to what I say.
17 Shall one who hates justice govern?
    Will you condemn one who is righteous and mighty,(G)
18 who says to a king, ‘You scoundrel!’
    and to princes, ‘You wicked men!’;(H)
19 who shows no partiality to nobles,
    nor regards the rich more than the poor,
    for they are all the work of his hands?(I)
20 In a moment they die;
    at midnight the people are shaken and pass away,
    and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.(J)

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Footnotes

  1. 34.10 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai
  2. 34.12 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai
  3. 34.13 Heb lacks on him
  4. 34.14 Heb his heart his spirit