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 case

and give a just verdict.

5 Job claims he is innocent

and God is guilty

of mistreating him.

6 Job also argues that God

considers him a liar

and that he is suffering severely

in 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 learn

that God All-Powerful

does what is right.

11 * God always treats everyone

the way they deserve,

12 and he is never unfair.

13 From the very beginning,

God has been in control

of all the world.

14 If God took back the breath

that he breathed into us,

15 we humans would die

and return to the soil.

16 So be smart and listen!

17 The mighty God is the one

who brings about justice,

and you are condemning him.

18 Indeed, God is the one

who condemns unfair rulers.

19 And God created us all;

he has no favorites,

whether rich or poor.

20 Even powerful rulers die

in the darkness of night

when they least expect it,

just like the rest of us.

21 God watches everything we do.

22 No evil person can hide

in the deepest darkness.

23 And so, God doesn't need

to set a time for judgment.

24 Without asking for advice,

God removes mighty leaders

and puts others in their place.

25 He knows what they are like,

and he wipes them out

in the middle of the night.

26 And while others look on,

he punishes them

because they were evil

27 and refused to obey him.

28 The persons they mistreated

had prayed for help,

until God answered

their prayers.

29 When God does nothing,

can any person or nation

find fault with him?

30 But still, he punishes rulers

who abuse their people.*

31 Job, you should tell God

that you are guilty

and promise to do better.

32 Then ask him to point out

what 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 sense

can easily see

35 that you are speaking nonsense

and lack good judgment.

36 So I pray for you to suffer

as much as possible

for talking like a sinner.

37 You have rebelled against God,

time after time,

and have even insulted us.