1Then Elihu said: 2“Hear my words, O you men of learning, you who know; give me your attention. 3For the ear tests words, just as the mouth tastes food. 4Let us discern and judge among ourselves what is right.

5“For Job has said, ‘I am innocent; yet God denies me justice. 6I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’ 7What man is like Job, who drinks up scorn like water, 8Who keeps company with evildoers, and spends time with wicked men? 9For he has said, ‘It doesn’t pay to try to please God.’

10“So hear me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil; and for the Almighty to commit iniquity. 11For He repays man according to his ways. 12It is unthinkable that God would do wickedly, or that the Almighty would pervert justice. 13Did someone else give Him charge over the earth? Or who granted Him authority over the whole world? 14If He set His heart to it, if He gathered to Himself His Spirit and His breath, 15All flesh would perish together, and man would return to the dust.

16“If you have understanding, then listen to my words. 17Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the Almighty One Who is most just? 18The God Who says to a king, ‘You are wicked.’ And to princes, ‘You are ungodly.’? 19How much less to Him that shows no partiality to the princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of His hands. 20In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; and the mighty pass away without human hands. 21For His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He sees all his doings. 22There is no darkness deep enough to hide the workers of iniquity. 23For He has no need to examine man further; when man comes before God for judgment. 24He brings mighty men to ruin without consulting others. 25Because He knows their works, and He overturns them in the night, so that they are brought low. 26He strikes them in public view for their wickedness, 27Because they turned away from following Him, and had no regard for any of His ways: 28They cause the cry of the poor to come up to Him, and He hears the cry of the afflicted.

29“When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him? This applies to individuals, and to nations, as well, 30So that the godless do not reign, and ensnare the people. 31Surely it is fitting to say to God, ‘I have been chastised for my sin, I will not offend anymore; 32Teach me, Lord, what I do not see; if I have done evil, I will do it no more.’ 33Should God reward you on your terms when you have disavowed His terms and refuse to repent? He will repay, whether you refuse, or accept it. You must choose; and not I. Therefore, tell me what you know.

34“Men of understanding will tell me, and the wise men who hear me will say: 35‘Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words lack insight.’ 36I think Job should be tested to the utmost for responding like a wicked man! 37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God.”