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

10 “So listen to me,(A) you men of understanding.(B)
    Far be it from God to do evil,(C)
    from the Almighty to do wrong.(D)
11 He repays everyone for what they have done;(E)
    he brings on them what their conduct deserves.(F)
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,(G)
    that the Almighty would pervert justice.(H)
13 Who appointed(I) him over the earth?
    Who put him in charge of the whole world?(J)
14 If it were his intention
    and he withdrew his spirit[a](K) and breath,(L)
15 all humanity would perish(M) together
    and mankind would return to the dust.(N)

16 “If you have understanding,(O) hear this;
    listen to what I say.(P)
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?(Q)
    Will you condemn the just and mighty One?(R)
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
    and to nobles,(S) ‘You are wicked,’(T)
19 who shows no partiality(U) to princes
    and does not favor the rich over the poor,(V)
    for they are all the work of his hands?(W)
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;(X)
    the people are shaken and they pass away;
    the mighty are removed without human hand.(Y)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 34:14 Or Spirit

10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?

14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.

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