1 Elihu said:
2 You men think you are wise,but just listen to me!
3 Think about my words,as you would taste food.
4 Then we can decide the caseand give a just verdict.
5 Job claims he is innocentand God is guiltyof mistreating him.
6 Job also argues that Godconsiders him a liarand that he is suffering severelyin spite of his innocence.
7 But to tell the truth,Job is shameless!
8 He spends his time with sinners,
9 because he has said,“It doesn't pay to please God.”
10 If any of you are smart,you will listen and learnthat God All-Powerfuldoes what is right.
11 God always treats everyonethe way they deserve,
12 and he is never unfair.
13 From the very beginning,God has been in controlof all the world.
14 If God took back the breaththat he breathed into us,
15 we humans would dieand return to the soil.
16 So be smart and listen!
17 The mighty God is the onewho brings about justice,and you are condemning him.
18 Indeed, God is the onewho condemns unfair rulers.
19 And God created us all;he has no favorites,whether rich or poor.
20 Even powerful rulers diein the darkness of nightwhen they least expect it,just like the rest of us.
21 God watches everything we do.
22 No evil person can hidein the deepest darkness.
23 And so, God doesn't needto set a time for judgment.
24 Without asking for advice,God removes mighty leadersand puts others in their place.
25 He knows what they are like,and he wipes them outin the middle of the night.
26 And while others look on,he punishes thembecause they were evil
27 and refused to obey him.
28 The persons they mistreatedhad prayed for help,until God answeredtheir prayers.
29 When God does nothing,can any person or nationfind fault with him?
30 But still, he punishes rulerswho abuse their people.
31 Job, you should tell Godthat you are guiltyand promise to do better.
32 Then ask him to point outwhat you did wrong,so you won't do it again.
33 Do you make the rules,or does God?You have to decide—I can't do it for you;now make up your mind.
34 Job, anyone with good sensecan easily see
35 that you are speaking nonsenseand lack good judgment.
36 So I pray for you to sufferas much as possiblefor talking like a sinner.
37 You have rebelled against God,time after time,and have even insulted us.