20. They can die in a moment, in the middle of the night.They are struck down, and then they pass away;powerful people die without help.
21. “God watches where people go;he sees every step they take.
22. There is no dark place or deep shadowwhere those who do evil can hide from him.
23. He does not set a timefor people to come before him for judging.
24. Without asking questions, God breaks powerful people into piecesand puts others in their place.
25. Because God knows what people do,he defeats them in the night, and they are crushed.
26. He punishes them for the evil they doso that everyone else can watch,
27. because they stopped following Godand did not care about any of his ways.
28. The cry of the poor comes to God;he hears the cry of the needy.
29. But if God keeps quiet, who can blame him?If he hides his face, who can see him?God still rules over both nations and persons alike.
30. He keeps the wicked from rulingand from trapping others.
31. “But suppose someone says to God,‘I am guilty, but I will not sin anymore.
32. Teach me what I cannot see.If I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33. So, Job, should God reward you as you wantwhen you refuse to change?You must decide, not I,so tell me what you know.
34. “Those who understand speak,and the wise who hear me say,
35. ‘Job speaks without knowing what is true;his words show he does not understand.’
36. I wish Job would be tested completely,because he answered like an evil man!
37. Job now adds to his sin by turning against God.He claps his hands in protest,speaking more and more against God.”