Job 36
1 Continuing in a similar manner, Eliu had this to say:
Elihu also continued, and said,
2 Bear with me for a little while and I will show you; for I have still more to say in favor of God.
"Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God's behalf.
3 I will review my knowledge from the beginning, and I will prove my Maker to be just.
I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words are without any falsehood and perfect knowledge will be proven to you.
For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5 God does not abandon the powerful, for he himself is also powerful.
"Look, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 But he does not save the impious, though he grants judgment to the poor.
He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right.
7 He will not take his eyes away from the just, and he continually establishes kings on their throne, and they are exalted.
He doesn't 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 in captivity, or are bound with the chains of poverty,
If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
9 he will reveal to them their works, as well as their sinfulness, in that they were violent.
then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10 Likewise, he will open their ears to his correction, and he will speak to them, so that they may return from iniquity.
He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.
11 If they listen and obey, they will fill their days with goodness and complete their years in glory.
If they listen and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12 But if they will not listen, they will pass away by the sword and will be consumed by foolishness.
But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge.
13 The false and the crafty provoke the wrath of God, yet they do not cry out to him when they are chained.
"But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They do not cry for help when he binds them.
14 Their soul will die in a storm, and their life, among the unmanly.
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
15 He will rescue the poor from his anguish, and he will open his ear during tribulation.
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.
16 Therefore, he will save you from the narrow mouth very widely, even though it has no foundation under it. Moreover, your respite at table will be full of fatness.
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 Your case has been judged like that of the impious; you will withdraw your plea and your judgment.
"But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 Therefore, do not let anger overwhelm you so that you oppress another; neither should you allow a multitude of gifts to influence you.
Do not let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
19 Lay down your greatness without distress, and put aside all of your power with courage.
Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?
20 Do not prolong the night, even if people rise on their behalf.
Do not desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21 Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity; for, after your misery, you have begun to follow this.
Take heed, do not regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God is exalted in his strength, and there is no one like him among the law-givers.
Look, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
23 Who is able to investigate his ways? And who can say, “You have done iniquity,” to him?
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'
24 Remember that you are ignorant of his work, yet men have sung its praises.
"Remember that you magnify his work, whereof men have sung.
25 All men consider him; and each one ponders from a distance.
All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off.
26 Behold, God is great, defeating our knowledge; the number of his years is inestimable.
Look, God is great, and we do not know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
27 He carries away the drops of rain, and he sends forth showers like a raging whirlpool;
For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,
28 they flow from the clouds that are woven above everything.
Which the skies pour down and which drop on humankind abundantly.
29 If he wills it, he extends the clouds as his tent
Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion?
30 and shines with his light from above; likewise, he covers the oceans within his tent.
Look, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
31 For he judges the people by these things, and he gives food to a multitude of mortals.
For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
32 Within his hands, he hides the light, and he commands it to come forth again.
He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.
33 He announces it to his friend, for it is his possession and he is able to reach out to it.
Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.
