Ayub (Job) — 34

Alihu Accuses Ayub of Arrogance

1 Then Alihu said:

2 “Listen to me, you wise men. Pay attention, you who have knowledge.

3 Ayub said, ‘The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods.’

4 So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

5 For Ayub also said, ‘I am innocent, but 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has taken away my rights.

6 I am innocent, but they call me a liar. My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’

7 “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Ayub, with his thirst for irreverent talk?

8 He chooses evil people as companions.    He spends his time with wicked men.

9 He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH?’

10 “Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH does not sin! The AL'Mighty can do no wrong.

11 He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve.

12 Truly, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will not do wrong. The AL'Mighty will not twist justice.

13 Did someone else put the world in His care? Who set the whole Arath in place?

14 If 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH were to take back his RUACH and withdraw his breath,

15 all life would cease, and mankind would turn again to dust.

16 “Now listen to me if you are wise. Pay attention to what I say.

17 Could 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH govern if He hated justice? Are you going to condemn the AL'Mighty judge?

18 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’ and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’

19 And 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH does not care how great a person may be, for He pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. Because He made them all.

20 In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without man's hand.

21 “For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH watches how people live; He sees everything they do.

22 No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes.

23 We do not set the time when we all will come before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH in judgment.

24 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and He sets up others in their place.

25 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH knows what they do, and in the night he overturns and destroys them.

26 He strikes them down because they are wicked, doing it openly for all to see.

27 For they turned away from following 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. They have no respect for any of His ways.

28 They cause the poor to cry out, catching the attention of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and He hears the cries of the needy.

29 But if 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH chooses to remain quiet, who can criticize Him? When 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH hides His face, no one can find him, whether an individual or a nation.

30 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH prevents the unrighteous from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people.

31 “Why do people not say to 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH, ‘I have sinned, but I will sin no more’?

32 Or ‘I do know not what evil I have done, tell me. If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?

33 “Must 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH tailor his justice to your demands? But you have rejected Him! The choice is yours, not mine, go ahead, share your wisdom with us.

34 After all, bright people will tell me, and wise people will hear me say,

35 ‘Ayub speaks out of ignorance; his words lack insight.’

36 Ayub, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked.

37 For you have added rebellion to your sin; you show no respect, and you speak many angry words against 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.