17Can 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?
18God is the one who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ He says to leaders, ‘You are evil!’
19He does not respect leaders more than other people. And he does not respect the rich more than the poor. God made everyone.
20Any 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.
22There is no place dark enough for evil people to hide from God.
23God does not need to set a time for people to come before him and be judged.
24He does not have to ask questions when people do wrong, even if they are powerful leaders. He simply destroys them and chooses others to take their place.
25When he learns what people have done, he defeats them, and overnight they are gone.
26He will punish them for the evil they have done, and he will do it where everyone can see.
27He will do this because they rebelled against him and ignored what he wanted.
28They hurt the poor and made them cry to God for help. And he hears their cry!
29But if God decides not to help them, no one can judge him guilty. If he hides himself, no one can find him. He is the ruler over every person and nation.
30He keeps the wicked from ruling so that they will not bring harm to the people.
31“A person should say to God, ‘I am guilty; I will not sin anymore.
32Show me the sins I am not able to see. If I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33Job, you want God to reward you, but you refuse to change. It is your decision, not mine. Tell me what you think.
34A wise person would listen to me. A wise person would say,
35‘Job talks like an ignorant person. What he says doesn’t make sense!’
36I think Job should be punished even more, because he answers us like someone who is evil!
37He adds rebellion to his other sins. He sits there insulting us and arguing with God!”
