Job 36 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

Elihu Extols God’s Greatness

1 And 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. 3 I 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)

Job 35:10Ps 78:2Re 15:3Re 16:5Re 16:7Re 19:1

4 For 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)

Job 8:20Job 9:4Job 12:13Job 12:16Ps 138:6

6 He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. (Job 34:28; Job 36:15) 7 He 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)

Ps 33:18Ps 34:15Ps 75:10Ps 113:8Ps 132:12

8 And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction, (Job 36:13; Ps 107:10) 9 then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. (Job 15:25) 10 He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity. (Job 33:16; Jer 18:11) 11 If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness. (Job 21:13; Isa 1:19) 12 But 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) 14 They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes. (Job 15:32; Job 22:16; Ps 55:23) 15 He 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)

Job 33:15Job 36:6Job 36:10Ps 119:67Ps 119:71

16 He 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)

Job 37:10Ps 4:1Ps 18:19Ps 23:5Ps 31:8Ps 36:8Ps 118:5

17 “But you are full of the judgment on the wicked; judgment and justice seize you. 18 Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. (Job 33:24) 19 Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength? (Pr 11:4) 20 Do not long for the night, when peoples vanish in their place. (Job 27:20; Job 34:20; Job 34:25; Job 40:12)

Job 27:20Job 34:20Job 34:25Job 40:12

21 Take care; do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction. (Ps 66:18) 22 Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? (Job 34:32; Job 35:11) 23 Who 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)

Job 34:10Job 34:13Isa 40:13Ro 11:341Co 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)

Job 33:27Ps 92:5Ps 104:33Lu 1:46Re 15:3

25 All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar. 26 Behold, 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)

Job 37:5Ps 90:2Ps 102:271Co 13:12

27 For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, (Ge 2:6; Ps 147:8) 28 which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. (De 33:28; Pr 3:20) 29 Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? (Job 26:9; Ps 18:11; Ps 105:39) 30 Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea. 31 For 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)

Job 37:13Ps 104:27Ps 136:25Ps 145:15Ps 147:9Ac 14:17

32 He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. (Hab 3:4) 33 Its crashing declares his presence;^[1] the cattle also declare that he rises.

New International Version

from Biblica

1 Elihu continued: 2 ‘Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said on God’s behalf. 3 I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker. 4 Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you. 5 ‘God is mighty, but despises no-one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose. 6 He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights. 7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them for ever. 8 But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, 9 he tells them what they have done – that they have sinned arrogantly. 10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. 11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. 12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword^[1] and die without knowledge. 13 ‘The godless in heart harbour resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help. 14 They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines. 15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. 16 ‘He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. 17 But now you are laden with the judgment due to the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. 18 Be careful that no-one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. 19 Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress? 20 Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes.^[2] 21 Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction. 22 ‘God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? 23 Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, “You have done wrong”? 24 Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. 25 All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar. 26 How great is God – beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. 27 ‘He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain to the streams^[3]; 28 the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. 29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? 30 See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. 31 This is the way he governs^[4] the nations and provides food in abundance. 32 He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. 33 His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.^[5]

New International Reader’s Version

from Biblica

1 Elihu continued, 2 ‘Put up with me a little longer. I’ll show you I can speak up for God even more. 3 I get my knowledge from far away. I’ll announce that the God who made me is fair. 4 You can be sure that my words are true. One who has perfect knowledge is talking to you. 5 ‘God is mighty, but he doesn’t hate people. He’s mighty, and he knows exactly what he’s going to do. 6 He doesn’t keep alive those who are evil. Instead, he gives suffering people their rights. 7 He watches over those who do what is right. He puts them on thrones as if they were kings. He honours them for ever. 8 But some people are held by chains. Their pain ties them up like ropes. 9 God tells them what they’ve done. He tells them they’ve become proud and sinned against him. 10 He makes them listen when he corrects them. He commands them to turn away from the evil things they’ve done. 11 If they obey him and serve him, they’ll enjoy a long and happy life. Things will go well with them. 12 But if they don’t listen to him, they’ll be killed by swords. They’ll die because they didn’t want to know anything about him. 13 ‘Those whose hearts are ungodly are always angry. Even when God puts them in chains, they don’t cry out for help. 14 They die while they are still young. They die among the male prostitutes at the temples. 15 But God saves suffering people while they suffer. He speaks to them while they are hurting. 16 ‘Job, he wants to take you out of the jaws of trouble. He wants to bring you to a wide and safe place. He’d like to seat you at a table that is loaded with the best food. 17 But now you are loaded down with the punishment sinners will receive. You have been judged fairly. 18 Be careful that no one tempts you with riches. Don’t take money from people who want special favours, no matter how much it is. 19 Can your wealth keep you out of trouble? Can all your mighty efforts keep you going? 20 Don’t wish for the night to come so you can drag people away from their homes. 21 Be careful not to do what is evil. You seem to like evil better than suffering! 22 ‘God is honoured because he is so powerful. There is no teacher equal to him. 23 Who has told him what he can do? Who has said to him, “You have done what is wrong”? 24 Remember to thank him for what he’s done. People have praised him with their songs. 25 Every human being has seen his work. People can see it from far away. 26 How great God is! We’ll never completely understand him. We’ll never find out how long he has lived. 27 ‘He makes mist rise from the water. Then it falls as rain into the streams. 28 The clouds pour down their moisture. Rain showers fall on people everywhere. 29 Who can understand how God spreads out the clouds? Who can explain how he thunders from his home in heaven? 30 See how he scatters his lightning around him! He lights up the deepest parts of the ocean. 31 The rain he sends makes things grow for the nations. He provides them with plenty of food. 32 He holds lightning bolts in his hands. He commands them to strike their marks. 33 His thunder announces that a storm is coming. Even the cattle let us know it’s approaching.

King James Version

1 Elihu also proceeded, and said, 2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God' behalf. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee. 5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. 6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. 7 He 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. 8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; 9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. 10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. 11 If they obey and serve him , they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. 13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them. 14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean. 15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression. 16 Even 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. 17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee . 18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. 19 Will he esteem thy riches? no , not gold, nor all the forces of strength. 20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place. 21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. 22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him? 23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? 24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold. 25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off. 26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. 27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: 28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. 29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? 30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. 31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance. 32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt. 33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.

Einheitsübersetzung 2016

from Katholisches Bibelwerk

VIERTE REDE ELIHUS

Krankheit und Leid als Weg zu Gott

1 Dann fuhr Elihu fort und sprach: 2 Warte ein wenig, ich will es dir künden, / ich habe für Gott noch mehr zu sagen. 3 Ich trage mein Wissen weit hinaus, / meinem Schöpfer verschaffe ich Recht. 4 Denn wahrhaftig, meine Worte sind kein Trug, / ein Mann vollkommenen Wissens steht vor dir. 5 Sieh, Gott ist gewaltig, er verwirft nicht, / gewaltig ist die Kraft seines Herzens. 6 Den Frevler lässt er nicht am Leben, / doch den Gebeugten schafft er Recht. 7 Er wendet seine Augen nicht von dem Gerechten; / Könige auf dem Thron: / für immer setzt er sie ein, sie werden groß. (Da 4:14) 8 Doch sind in Fesseln sie geschlagen, / gefangen in des Elends Stricken, (2Ch 33:11; Ps 107:10) 9 so hält er ihnen ihr Tun vor / und ihre Vergehen, weil sie stolz geworden. 10 Er öffnet ihr Ohr zur Warnung, / fordert sie auf, vom Bösen zu lassen. 11 Wenn sie hören und ihm dienen, / vollenden sie im Glück ihre Tage, / in Wonnen ihre Jahre. 12 Hören sie nicht, / so fahren sie zum Todesschacht hinab, / verscheiden im Unverstand. 13 Ruchlos Gesinnte hegen Groll, / schreien nicht um Hilfe, wenn er sie fesselt. 14 Schon in der Jugend muss ihre Seele sterben, / ihr Leben im Alter von Geweihten. 15 Den Geplagten rettet er durch seine Plage / und öffnet durch Bedrängnis sein Ohr. 16 Auch dich hat er aus dem Rachen der Bedrängnis gelockt, / in Weite stehst du, nicht in Enge, / voll ist dein Tisch von fetten Speisen. 17 Das Gericht über den Frevler hat sich an dir erfüllt, / Gericht und Urteil haben zugefasst. 18 Zornglut verführe dich nicht beim Schicksalsschlag / und reiches Lösegeld verleite dich nicht. 19 Wird dein Schreien aus der Not dich führen / und alle Anstrengungen voll Kraft? 20 Sehne nicht die Nacht herbei, / in der Völker hinaufsteigen von ihrer Stätte! 21 Hüte dich und wende dich nicht zum Bösen! / Denn du wirst durch Leid geprüft.

Über Gottes Größe

22 Sieh, groß ist Gott in seiner Macht. / Wer ist ein Lehrer wie er? (Ex 35:34; Ps 27:11; Ps 95:3; Isa 28:23; Isa 50:4; Da 2:47)

Ex 35:34Ps 27:11Ps 95:3Isa 28:23Isa 50:4Da 2:47

23 Wer will ihm weisen seinen Weg? / Wer kann ihm sagen: Du tust Unrecht? (Isa 40:13; Ro 11:33) 24 Denk daran, hoch sein Werk zu preisen, / von dem die Menschen Lieder singen. 25 Alle Welt schaut es, / von ferne nur erblickt es der Mensch. 26 Sieh, Gott ist groß, wir begreifen ihn nicht, / unerforschlich ist die Zahl seiner Jahre. (Ps 145:3) 27 Denn er zieht die Wassertropfen herauf, / als Regen ergießen sie sich aus dem Dunst. (Job 28:25) 28 Durch ihn rieseln die Wolken, / träufeln nieder auf die vielen Menschen. 29 Wer gar versteht der Wolke Schweben, / den Donnerhall aus seinem Zelt? (Ps 18:10) 30 Sieh, darüber breitet er sein Licht / und deckt des Meeres Wurzeln zu. 31 Denn damit richtet er die Völker, / gibt Speise in reicher Fülle. (Ps 104:13) 32 Mit Licht füllt er beide Hände, / bietet sie auf gegen den, der angreift. 33 Ihn kündigt an sein lauter Schall, / wenn er im Zorn gegen den Frevel eifert.^[1]