| 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. |