7. “Would anyone but Job say such things? He has more thirst for insulting God than for water.
8. He is a friend of evil people. He likes to spend time with the wicked.
9. I know this because he says, ‘You will gain nothing if you try to please God.’
10. “You men can understand, so listen to me. God would never do what is evil! God All-Powerful would never do wrong.
11. He pays us back for what we have done. He gives us what we deserve.
12. The truth is that God does no wrong. God All-Powerful is always fair.
13. No one chose God to be in charge of the earth. No one gave him responsibility for the whole world.
14. If God decided to take away his spirit and the breath of life he gave us,
15. then everything on earth would die. We would all become dust again.
16. “If you men are wise, you will listen to what I say.
17. Can someone be a ruler if he hates justice? Job, God is not only powerful, but he is fair. Do you think you can judge him guilty?
18. God is the one who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ He says to leaders, ‘You are evil!’
19. He does not respect leaders more than other people. And he does not respect the rich more than the poor. God made everyone.
20. Any of us can die suddenly, in the middle of the night. Anyone can get sick and pass away. Even powerful people die for no reason we can see.
21. “God watches what people do. He sees every step they take.
22. There is no place dark enough for evil people to hide from God.
23. God does not need to set a time for people to come before him and be judged.