| Chapter 36 |
1 |
Elihu also continued, and said,
|
2 |
'Bear with me a little, and I will show you; For I still have something to say on God's behalf.
|
3 |
I will get my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
|
4 |
For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
|
5 |
'Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
|
6 |
He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, But gives to the afflicted their right.
|
7 |
He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, But with kings on the throne, He sets them forever, and they are exalted.
|
8 |
If they are bound in fetters, And are taken in the cords of afflictions,
|
9 |
Then he shows them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
|
10 |
He also opens their ears to instruction, And commands that they return from iniquity.
|
11 |
If they listen and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
|
12 |
But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; They shall die without knowledge.
|
13 |
'But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them.
|
14 |
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
|
15 |
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, And opens their ear in oppression.
|
16 |
Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, Into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.
|
17 |
'But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
|
18 |
Don't let riches entice you to wrath, Neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
|
19 |
Would your wealth sustain you in distress, Or all the might of your strength?
|
20 |
Don't desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.
|
21 |
Take heed, don't regard iniquity; For this you have chosen rather than affliction.
|
22 |
Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
|
23 |
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'
|
24 |
'Remember that you magnify his work, Whereof men have sung.
|
25 |
All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off.
|
26 |
Behold, God is great, and we don't know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
|
27 |
For he draws up the drops of water, Which distill in rain from his vapor,
|
28 |
Which the skies pour down And drop on man abundantly.
|
29 |
Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, And the thunderings of his pavilion?
|
30 |
Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
|
31 |
For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
|
32 |
He covers his hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark.
|
33 |
The noise of it tells about him, And the cattle also concerning the storm that comes up.
|