Job 36
1 Eliu also proceeded, and said:
Elihu continued speaking.
2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee: for I have yet somewhat to speak in God’s behalf.
“Be patient with me just a little while longer and let me explain. I still have something to say on God's behalf.
3 I will repeat my knowledge from the beginning, and I will prove my Maker just.
I will share my extensive knowledge, and I will prove my Creator is in the right.
4 For indeed my words are without a lie, and perfect knowledge shall be proved to thee.
I assure you that what I'm saying are not lies, for I am a man whose knowledge is of the highest order.
5 God doth not cast away the mighty, whereas he himself also is mighty.
God is mighty, but doesn't despise anyone; he is powerful in strength and understanding.
6 But he saveth not the wicked, and he giveth judgment to the poor.
He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives justice to the oppressed.
7 He will not take away his eyes from the just, and he placeth kings on the throne for ever, and they are exalted.
He always pays attention those who do right, and places them on thrones with kings, honoring them eternally.
8 And if they shall be in chains, and be bound with the cords of poverty:
If they are bound in chains, tied down by ropes of suffering,
9 He shall shew them their works, and their wicked deeds, because they have been violent.
then he explains to them what they've done—their arrogant sins.
10 He also shall open their ear, to correct them: and shall speak, that they may return from iniquity.
He makes them pay attention and orders them to stop sinning.
11 If they shall hear and observe, they shall accomplish their days in good, and their years in glory.
If they listen and do what God says they will live out their lives in happiness.
12 But if they hear not, they shall pass by the sword, and shall be consumed in folly.
But if they do not listen they will die a violent death, ignorant of God.
13 Dissemblers and crafty men prove the wrath of God, neither shall they cry when they are bound.
Those who reject God hold on to their bitterness. Even when he disciplines them they do not cry out to him for help.
14 Their soul shall die in a storm, and their life among the effeminate.
They die in their youth; their lives end among the male temple prostitutes.
15 He shall deliver the poor out of his distress, and shall open his ear in affliction.
Through suffering God saves those who suffer; he gets their attention through their troubles.
16 Therefore he shall set thee at large out of the narrow mouth, and which hath no foundation under it: and the rest of thy table shall be full of fatness.
God is trying to rescue you from the jaws of trouble to a place of freedom and safety, filling your table full of the very best food.
17 Thy cause hath been judged as that of the wicked, cause and judgment thou shalt recover.
But you are preoccupied with the fate of the wicked; judgment and justice fill your mind.
18 Therefore let not anger overcome thee to oppress any man: neither let multitude of gifts turn thee aside.
But be careful that your anger doesn't seduce you into mockery; and don't let the size of the ‘bribe’ lead you into sin.
19 Lay down thy greatness without tribulation, and all the mighty of strength.
Will your cry for help sustain you when troubles come?
20 Prolong not the night that people may come up for them.
Do not long for the night when people are suddenly taken away.
21 Beware thou turn not aside to iniquity: for this thou hast begun to follow after misery.
Watch out that you don't turn to evil! For it's because of this that you are being tested through suffering.
22 Behold, God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the lawgivers.
Look how much power God has! What teacher is like him?
23 Who can search out his ways? or who can say to him: Thou has wrought iniquity?
Who has instructed him what to do? Who can say to him ‘You have done wrong’?
24 Remember that thou knowest not his work, concerning which men have sung.
Instead you should praise him for what he has done, as people have done in song.
25 All men see him, every one beholdeth afar off.
Everyone has seen God's creation, though only from a distance.
26 Behold, God is great, exceeding our knowledge: the number of his years is inestimable.
See how great God is—more than we can understand! No one can count his years.
27 He lifteth up the drops of rain, and poureth out showers like floods:
He draws up the water and distils it into the dew and the rain.
28 Which flow from the clouds that cover all above.
The clouds pour down rain, falling plentifully on humankind.
29 If he will spread out clouds as his tent,
Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out, or how thunder roars from where he lives?
30 And lighten with his light from above, he shall cover also the ends of the sea.
See how he scatters lightning around him, and covers the depths of the sea in darkness.
31 For by these he judgeth people, and giveth food to many mortals.
By these actions he rules the people, he provides abundant food.
32 In his hands he hideth the light, and commandeth it to come again.
He holds lightning in his hands and commands where it should strike.
33 He sheweth his friend concerning it, that it is his possession, and that he may come up to it.
Thunder declares his presence—even cattle know when a storm is coming.
