21 For His eyes watch over a man’s ways,
and He observes all his steps.(A)
22 There is no darkness, no deep darkness,
where evildoers can hide themselves.(B)
23 God does not need to examine a person further,
that one should[a] approach Him in court.
24 He shatters the mighty without an investigation
and sets others in their place.(C)
25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds(D)
and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed.
26 In full view of the public,[b]
He strikes them for their wickedness,
27 because they turned aside from following Him
and did not understand any of His ways
28 but caused the poor to cry out to Him,
and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.(E)
29 But when God is silent, who can declare Him guilty?
When He hides His face, who can see Him?
Yet He watches over both individuals and nations,
30 so that godless men should not rule
or ensnare the people.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 34:23 Some emend to God has not appointed a time for man to
  2. Job 34:26 Lit In a place of spectators

21 “Indeed, his eyes are upon the ways of man,
and he sees all his steps.
22 There is no darkness, and there is no deep shadow
where instigators of mischief might hide themselves.
23 Indeed, he has not yet appointed a time for man
to go to God in the judgment.
24 He shatters the mighty without investigation,
and he sets others in their place.
25 Therefore he knows their works,
and he overturns them in the night
so that[a] they are crushed.
26 He strikes them where the wicked stood,[b]
where there are onlookers,[c]
27 because they have turned aside from him
and have not understood any of his ways,
28 so that they cause the cry of distress from the helpless to come to him,
and he hears the cry of distress from the needy,
29 but he remains quiet, and who can condemn?
And he hides his face, and who can behold him?
Yet[d] he is over a nation and over a person alike,
30 so that godless human beings should not reign,
nor those who ensnare the people.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 34:25 Hebrew “and”
  2. Job 34:26 Literally “among the wicked”
  3. Job 34:26 Literally “in the place of seers”
  4. Job 34:29 Hebrew “And”