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 justice to the afflicted .
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 will spend their days in prosperity , and their years in pleasures .
12 But if they don’t listen , they will perish by the sword ; they will 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 wide 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 you have chosen this 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 , about which men have sung .
25 All men have looked on it . 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 which drop on man abundantly .
29 Indeed, can anyone 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 Its noise tells about him , and the livestock also, concerning the storm that comes up .