5 "Job says, 'I am innocent, but God denies me justice. 6 Although I am right, I am considered a liar; although I am guiltless, his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.' 7 Is there anyone like Job, who drinks scorn like water?
5 For Job has said, 'I am in the right, and God has taken away my right; 6 in spite of my right I am counted a liar; my wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.' 7 What man is like Job, who drinks up scoffing like water,
5 "We've all heard Job say, 'I'm in the right, but God won't give me a fair trial. 6 When I defend myself, I'm called a liar to my face. I've done nothing wrong, and I get punished anyway.' 7 Have you ever heard anything to beat this? Does nothing faze this man Job?
5 "For Job has said, 'I am righteous, But God has taken away my justice; 6 Should I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.' 7 What man is like Job, Who drinks scorn like water,
5 For Job also said, 'I am innocent, but God 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 Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk?
36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man!
36 Would that Job were tried to the end, because he answers like wicked men.
36 Job, you need to be pushed to the wall and called to account for wickedly talking back to God the way you have.
36 Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost, Because his answers are like those of wicked men!
36 Job, you deserve the maximum penalty for the wicked way you have talked.
(Read Job 34:31-37)
When we reprove for what is amiss, we must direct to what is good. Job's friends would have had him own himself a wicked man. Let will only oblige him to own that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips. Let us, in giving reproof, not make a matter worse than it is. Elihu directs Job to humble himself before God for his sins, and to accept the punishment. Also to pray to God to discover his sins to him. A good man is willing to know the worst of himself; particularly, under affliction, he desires to be told wherefore God contends with him. It is not enough to be sorry for our sins, but we must go and sin no more. And if we are affectionate children, we shall love to speak with our Father, and to tell him all our mind. Elihu reasons with Job concerning his discontent under affliction. We are ready to think every thing that concerns us should be just as we would have it; but it is not reasonable to expect this. Elihu asks whether there was not sin and folly in what Job said. God is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works, Psalm 145:17. The believer saith, Let my Saviour, my wise and loving Lord, choose every thing for me. I am sure that will be wisest, and the best for his glory and my good.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 34:5-7
Commentary on Job 34:1-9
(Read Job 34:1-9)
Elihu calls upon those present to decide with him upon Job's words. The plainest Christian, whose mind is enlightened, whose heart is sanctified by the Spirit of God, and who is versed in the Scriptures, can say how far matters, words, or actions, agree with true religion, better than any that lean to their own understandings. Job had spoken as if he meant wholly to justify himself. He that say, I have cleansed my hands in vain, does not only offend against God's children, Psalm 73:13-15, but gratifies his enemies, and says as they say.