Chapter 36

Elihu also proceeded, and said,

Suffer me a little, and I will show thee; For I have yet somewhat to say on God's behalf.

I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

For truly my words are not false: One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.

He preserveth not the life of the wicked, But giveth to the afflicted [their] right.

He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.

And if they be bound in fetters, And be taken in the cords of afflictions;

Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

He openeth also their ear to instruction, And commandeth that they return from iniquity.

If they hearken and serve [him], They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

But if they hearken not, they shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.

But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them.

They die in youth, And their life [perisheth] among the unclean.

He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction, And openeth their ear in oppression.

Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness.

But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold [on thee].

For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.

Will thy cry avail, [that thou be] not in distress, Or all the forces of [thy] strength?

Desire not the night, When peoples are cut off in their place.

Take heed, regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him?

Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

Remember that thou magnify his work, Whereof men have sung.

All men have looked thereon; Man beholdeth it afar off.

Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable.

For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapor,

Which the skies pour down And drop upon man abundantly.

Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, The thunderings of his pavilion?

Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea.

For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth food in abundance.

He covereth his hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark.

The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning [the storm] that cometh up.