Job 34:18-34

¹⁸Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked; Or to princes, Ye are unrighteous?

¹⁹How much less to him that is not partial to princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? For they are all the work of his hands.

²⁰In a moment they die; yea, at midnight Do the people stagger and pass away, And the mighty are destroyed without hand.

²¹For his eyes are upon the ways of man; He seeth all his steps.

²²There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where evil-doers may hide themselves.

²³He needeth not attend long to a man, That he may go into judgment before God;

²⁴He dasheth in pieces the mighty without inquiry, And setteth up others in their stead.

²⁵Therefore he knoweth their works, And in a night he overthroweth them, so that they are destroyed.

²⁶On account of their wickedness he smiteth them, In the presence of many beholders;

²⁷Because they turned away from him, And had no regard to his ways,

²⁸And caused the cry of the poor to come before him; For he heareth the cry of the oppressed.

²⁹When he giveth rest, who can cause trouble? And when he hideth his face, Who can behold him?

³⁰So is it with nations and individuals alike! That the wicked may no more rule, And may not be snares to the people.

³¹Surely thou shouldst say unto God, “I have received chastisement; I will no more offend;

³²What I see not, teach thou me! If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more.”

³³Shall he recompense according to thy mind, Because thou refusest, or because thou choosest, and not he? Speak, if thou hast knowledge!

³⁴Men of understanding, Wise men, who hear me, will say,