Job 36
1Then Elihu continued, saying:2
3Be patient with me a little longer, and I will inform you, for there is still more to be said on God’s behalf.4
5I will get my knowledge from a distant place and ascribe justice to my Maker.6
7Indeed, my words are not false; one who has complete knowledge is with you.8
9Yes, God is mighty, but he despises no one; he understands all things.10
11He does not keep the wicked alive, but he gives justice to the oppressed.12
13He does not withdraw his gaze from the righteous, but he seats them forever with enthroned kings, and they are exalted.14
15If people are bound with chains and trapped by the cords of affliction,16
17God tells them what they have done and how arrogantly they have transgressed.18
19He opens their ears to correction and tells them to repent from iniquity.20
21If they listen and serve him, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.22
23But if they do not listen, they will cross the river of death and die without knowledge.24
25Those who have a godless heart harbor anger; even when God binds them, they do not cry for help.26
27They die in their youth; their life ends among male cult prostitutes.28
29God rescues the afflicted by their affliction; he instructs them by their torment.30
31Indeed, he lured you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and unconfined place. Your table was spread with choice food.32
33Yet now you are obsessed with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have seized you.34
35Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large ransom lead you astray.36
37Can your wealth or all your physical exertion keep you from distress?38
39Do not long for the night when nations will disappear from their places.40
41Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity, for that is why you have been tested by affliction.42
43Look, God shows himself exalted by his power. Who is a teacher like him?44
45Who has appointed his way for him, and who has declared, “You have done wrong”?46
47Remember that you should praise his work, which people have sung about.48
49All mankind has seen it; people have looked at it from a distance.50
51Yes, God is exalted beyond our knowledge; the number of his years cannot be counted.52
53For he makes waterdrops evaporate; they distill the rain into its mist,54
55which the clouds pour out and shower abundantly on mankind.56
57Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out or how the thunder roars from God’s pavilion?58
59See how he spreads his lightning around him and covers the depths of the sea.60
61For he judges the nations with these; he gives food in abundance.62
63He covers his hands with lightning and commands it to hit its mark.64
65The thunder declares his presence; the cattle also, the approaching storm.66
3Be patient with me a little longer, and I will inform you, for there is still more to be said on God’s behalf.4
5I will get my knowledge from a distant place and ascribe justice to my Maker.6
7Indeed, my words are not false; one who has complete knowledge is with you.8
9Yes, God is mighty, but he despises no one; he understands all things.10
11He does not keep the wicked alive, but he gives justice to the oppressed.12
13He does not withdraw his gaze from the righteous, but he seats them forever with enthroned kings, and they are exalted.14
15If people are bound with chains and trapped by the cords of affliction,16
17God tells them what they have done and how arrogantly they have transgressed.18
19He opens their ears to correction and tells them to repent from iniquity.20
21If they listen and serve him, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.22
23But if they do not listen, they will cross the river of death and die without knowledge.24
25Those who have a godless heart harbor anger; even when God binds them, they do not cry for help.26
27They die in their youth; their life ends among male cult prostitutes.28
29God rescues the afflicted by their affliction; he instructs them by their torment.30
31Indeed, he lured you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and unconfined place. Your table was spread with choice food.32
33Yet now you are obsessed with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have seized you.34
35Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large ransom lead you astray.36
37Can your wealth or all your physical exertion keep you from distress?38
39Do not long for the night when nations will disappear from their places.40
41Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity, for that is why you have been tested by affliction.42
43Look, God shows himself exalted by his power. Who is a teacher like him?44
45Who has appointed his way for him, and who has declared, “You have done wrong”?46
47Remember that you should praise his work, which people have sung about.48
49All mankind has seen it; people have looked at it from a distance.50
51Yes, God is exalted beyond our knowledge; the number of his years cannot be counted.52
53For he makes waterdrops evaporate; they distill the rain into its mist,54
55which the clouds pour out and shower abundantly on mankind.56
57Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out or how the thunder roars from God’s pavilion?58
59See how he spreads his lightning around him and covers the depths of the sea.60
61For he judges the nations with these; he gives food in abundance.62
63He covers his hands with lightning and commands it to hit its mark.64
65The thunder declares his presence; the cattle also, the approaching storm.66