1 Elihu continued speaking: 2 "Let me go on, and I will show you the truth. For I have not finished defending God! 3 I will present profound arguments for the righteousness of my Creator. 4 I am telling you nothing but the truth, for I am a man of great knowledge. 5 "God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding. 6 He does not let the wicked live but gives justice to the afflicted. 7 He never takes his eyes off the innocent, but he sets them on thrones with kings and exalts them forever. 8 If they are bound in chains and caught up in a web of trouble, 9 he shows them the reason. He shows them their sins of pride. 10 He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil. 11 "If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant. 12 But if they refuse to listen to him, they will be killed by the sword and die from lack of understanding. 13 For the godless are full of resentment. Even when he punishes them, they refuse to cry out to him for help. 14 They die when they are young, after wasting their lives in immoral living. 15 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through advity. 16 "God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food. 17 But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don't worry, judgment and justice will be upheld. 18 But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth. Don't let yourself be bribed into sin. 19 Could all your wealth or all your mighty efforts keep you from distress? 20 Do not long for the cover of night, for that is when people will be destroyed. 21 Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil. 22 "Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him? 23 No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, 'You have done wrong.' 24 Instead, glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise. 25 Everyone has seen these things, though only from a distance. 26 "Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted. 27 He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain. 28 The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits. 29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven? 30 See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights up the depths of the sea. 31 By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance. 32 He fills his hands with lightning bolts and hurls each at its target. 33 The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger.
1 Here Elihu took a deep breath, but kept going: 2 "Stay with me a little longer. I'll convince you. There's still more to be said on God's side. 3 I learned all this firsthand from the Source; everything I know about justice I owe to my Maker himself. 4 Trust me, I'm giving you undiluted truth; believe me, I know these things inside and out. 5 "It's true that God is all-powerful, but he doesn't bully innocent people. 6 For the wicked, though, it's a different story--he doesn't give them the time of day, but champions the rights of their victims. 7 He never takes his eyes off the righteous; he honors them lavishly, promotes them endlessly. 8 When things go badly, when affliction and suffering descend, 9 God tells them where they've gone wrong, shows them how their pride has caused their trouble. 10 He forces them to heed his warning, tells them they must repent of their bad life. 11 If they obey and serve him, they'll have a good, long life on easy street. 12 But if they disobey, they'll be cut down in their prime and never know the first thing about life. 13 Angry people without God pile grievance upon grievance, always blaming others for their troubles. 14 Living it up in sexual excesses, virility wasted, they die young. 15 But those who learn from their suffering, God delivers from their suffering. 16 "Oh, Job, don't you see how God's wooing you from the jaws of danger? How he's drawing you into wide-open places--inviting you to feast at a table laden with blessings? 17 And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked, obsessed with putting the blame on God! 18 Don't let your great riches mislead you; don't think you can bribe your way out of this. 19 Did you plan to buy your way out of this? Not on your life! 20 And don't think that night, when people sleep off their troubles, will bring you any relief. 21 Above all, don't make things worse with more evil--that's what's behind your suffering as it is! 22 "Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him? 23 Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, "You did that all wrong!'? 24 Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. 25 Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it. 26 "Take a long, hard look. See how great he is--infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out! 27 "He pulls water up out of the sea, distills it, and fills up his rain-cloud cisterns. 28 Then the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone. 29 Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens? How he arranges the clouds, how he speaks in thunder? 30 Just look at that lightning, his sky-filling light show illumining the dark depths of the sea! 31 These are the symbols of his sovereignty, his generosity, his loving care. 32 He hurls arrows of light, taking sure and accurate aim. 33 The High God roars in the thunder, angry against evil.
1 Elihu also proceeded, and said, 2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's 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.
1 Elihu also proceeded and said: 2 "Bear with me a little, and I will show you That there are yet words to speak on God's behalf. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar; I 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, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed. 7 He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted. 8 And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction, 9 Then He tells them their work and their transgressions--That they have acted defiantly. 10 He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn 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 do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge. 13 "But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them. 14 They die in youth, And their life ends among the perverted persons. 15 He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression. 16 "Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, Into a broad place where there is no restraint; And what is set on your table would be full of richness. 17 But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you. 18 Because there is wrath, beware lest He take you away with one blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid it. 19 Will your riches, Or all the mighty forces, Keep you from distress? 20 Do not desire the night, When people are cut off in their place. 21 Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, For you have chosen this rather than affliction. 22 "Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him? 23 Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, "You have done wrong'? 24 "Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung. 25 Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar. 26 "Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered. 27 For He draws up drops of water, Which distill as rain from the mist, 28 Which the clouds drop down And pour abundantly on man. 29 Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy? 30 Look, He scatters His light upon it, And covers the depths of the sea. 31 For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance. 32 He covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike. 33 His thunder declares it, The cattle also, concerning the rising storm.
1 Then Elihu continued and said, 2 "Wait for me a little, and I will show you That there is yet more to be said in God's behalf. 3 "I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And I 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 but does not despise any; He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 "He does not keep the wicked alive, But gives justice to the afflicted. 7 "He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But with kings on the throne He has seated them forever, and they are exalted. 8 "And if they are bound in fetters, And are caught in the cords of affliction, 9 Then He declares to them their work And their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves. 10 "He opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they return from evil. 11 "If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures. 12 "But if they do not hear, they shall perish by the sword And they will die without knowledge. 13 "But the godless in heart lay up anger; They do not cry for help when He binds them. 14 "They die in youth, And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes. 15 "He delivers the afflicted in their affliction, And opens their ear in time of oppression. 16 "Then indeed, He enticed you from the mouth of distress, Instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And that which was set on your table was full of fatness. 17 "But you were full of judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you. 18 "Beware that wrath does not entice you to scoffing; And do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. 19 "Will your riches keep you from distress, Or all the forces of your strength? 20 "Do not long for the night, When people vanish in their place. 21 "Be careful, do not turn to evil, For you have preferred this to affliction. 22 "Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him? 23 "Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, 'You have done wrong'? 24 "Remember that you should exalt His work, Of which men have sung. 25 "All men have seen it; Man beholds from afar. 26 "Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable. 27 "For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist, 28 Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly. 29 "Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion? 30 "Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea. 31 "For by these He judges peoples; He gives food in abundance. 32 "He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. 33 "Its noise declares His presence; The cattle also, concerning what is coming up.
1 ELIHU PROCEEDED and said, 2 Bear with me and wait a little longer, and I will show you, for I have something still to say on God's behalf. 3 I will bring my knowledge from afar and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words shall not be false; He Who is perfect in knowledge is with you. 5 Behold! God is mighty, and yet despises no one nor regards anything as trivial; He is mighty in power of understanding and heart. 6 He does not prolong the life of the wicked, but gives the needy and afflicted their right. 7 He withdraws not His eyes from the righteous (the upright in right standing with God); but He sets them forever with kings upon the throne, and they are exalted. 8 And if they are bound in fetters [of adversity] and held by cords of affliction, 9 Then He shows to them [the true character of] their deeds and their transgressions, that they have acted arrogantly [with presumption and self-sufficiency]. 10 He also opens their ears to instruction and discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity. 11 If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy. 12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword [of God's destructive judgments], and they shall die in ignorance of true knowledge. 13 But the godless and profane in heart heap up anger [at the divine discipline]; they do not cry to Him when He binds them [with cords of affliction]. 14 They die in youth, and their life perishes among the unclean (those who are sodomites). 15 He delivers the afflicted in their affliction and opens their ears [to His voice] in adversity. 16 Indeed, God would have allured you out of the mouth of distress into a broad place where there is no situation of perplexity or privation; and that which would be set on your table would be full of fatness. 17 But if you [Job] are filled with the judgment of the wicked, judgment and justice will keep hold on you. 18 For let not wrath entice you into scorning chastisements; and let not the greatness of the ransom [the suffering, if rightly endured] turn you aside. 19 Will your cry be sufficient to keep you from distress, or will all the force of your strength do it? 20 Desire not the night, when peoples are cut off from their places; 21 Take heed, turn not to iniquity, for this [the iniquity of complaining against God] you have chosen rather than [submission in] affliction. 22 Behold, God exalts and does loftily in His power; who is a ruler or a teacher like Him? 23 Who has appointed God His way? Or who can say, You have done unrighteousness? 24 Remember that [by submission] you magnify God's work, of which men have sung. 25 All men have looked upon God's work; man may behold it afar off. 26 Behold, God is great, and we know Him not! The number of His years is unsearchable. 27 For He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain from His vapor, 28 Which the skies pour down and drop abundantly upon [the multitudes of ] mankind. 29 Not only that, but can anyone understand the spreadings of the clouds or the thunderings of His pavilion? 30 Behold, He spreads His lightning against the dark clouds and covers the roots of the sea. 31 For by [His clouds] God executes judgment upon the peoples; He gives food in abundance. 32 He covers His hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. 33 His thunderings speak [awesomely] concerning Him; the cattle are told of His coming storm.
1 Elihu continued: 2 "Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in 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 perfect in knowledge is with you. 5 "God is mighty, but does not despise men; 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 forever. 8 But if men 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 and die without knowledge. 13 "The godless in heart harbor 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 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. 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 men have praised in song. 25 All mankind has seen it; men 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 distill as rain to the streams; 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 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.
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. 4 For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. 5 "Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right. 7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted. 8 And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction, 9 then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. 10 He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity. 11 If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness. 12 But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge. 13 "The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. 14 They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes. 15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity. 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. 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. 19 Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength? 20 Do not long for the night, when peoples vanish in their place. 21 Take care; do not turn to 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 for him his way, or who can say, 'You have done wrong'? 24 "Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung. 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. 27 For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, 28 which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. 29 Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? 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. 32 He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. 33 Its crashing declares his presence; the cattle also declare that he rises.