1Elihu also proceeded, and said,2Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God' behalf.3I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.4For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.5Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.6He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.7He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.8And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;9Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.10He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.11If they obey and serve him , they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.12But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.13But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.14They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.15He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.16Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.17But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee .18Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.19Will he esteem thy riches? no , not gold, nor all the forces of strength.20Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.21Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.22Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?23Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?24Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.25Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.26Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.27For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:28Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.29Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?30Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.31For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.32With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.33The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
Job 36
English Standard Version
Elihu Extols God’s Greatness
1And Elihu continued, and said:2“Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.3I will get my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. (Job 35:10; Ps 78:2; Re 15:3; Re 16:5; Re 16:7; Re 19:1)4For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. (Job 37:16)5“Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. (Job 8:20; Job 9:4; Job 12:13; Job 12:16; Ps 138:6)6He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. (Job 34:28; Job 36:15)7He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted. (Ps 33:18; Ps 34:15; Ps 75:10; Ps 113:8; Ps 132:12)8And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction, (Job 36:13; Ps 107:10)9then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. (Job 15:25)10He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity. (Job 33:16; Jer 18:11)11If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness. (Job 21:13; Isa 1:19)12But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge. (Job 4:21; Job 33:18; Job 35:16)13“The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. (Job 15:34; Job 36:8)14They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes. (Job 15:32; Job 22:16; Ps 55:23)15He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity. (Job 33:15; Job 36:6; Job 36:10; Ps 119:67; Ps 119:71)16He also allured you out of distress into a broad place where there was no cramping, and what was set on your table was full of fatness. (Job 37:10; Ps 4:1; Ps 18:19; Ps 23:5; Ps 31:8; Ps 36:8; Ps 118:5)17“But you are full of the judgment on the wicked; judgment and justice seize you.18Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. (Job 33:24)19Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength? (Pr 11:4)20Do not long for the night, when peoples vanish in their place. (Job 27:20; Job 34:20; Job 34:25; Job 40:12)21Take care; do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction. (Ps 66:18)22Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? (Job 34:32; Job 35:11)23Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’? (Job 34:10; Job 34:13; Isa 40:13; Ro 11:34; 1Co 2:16)24“Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung. (Job 33:27; Ps 92:5; Ps 104:33; Lu 1:46; Re 15:3)25All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar.26Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable. (Job 37:5; Ps 90:2; Ps 102:27; 1Co 13:12)27For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, (Ge 2:6; Ps 147:8)28which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. (De 33:28; Pr 3:20)29Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? (Job 26:9; Ps 18:11; Ps 105:39)30Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea.31For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. (Job 37:13; Ps 104:27; Ps 136:25; Ps 145:15; Ps 147:9; Ac 14:17)32He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. (Hab 3:4)33Its crashing declares his presence;[1] the cattle also declare that he rises.