Job 36
1 Elihu also proceeded and sayde,
Elihu continued speaking.
2 Suffer me a litle, and I will instruct thee: for I haue yet to speake on Gods behalfe.
“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 fetche my knowledge afarre off, and will attribute righteousnes vnto my Maker.
I will share my extensive knowledge, and I will prove my Creator is in the right.
4 For truely my wordes shall not be false, and he that is perfect in knowledge, speaketh with 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 Behold, the mighty God casteth away none that is mighty and valiant of courage.
God is mighty, but doesn't despise anyone; he is powerful in strength and understanding.
6 He mainteineth not the wicked, but he giueth iudgement to the afflicted.
He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives justice to the oppressed.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, but they are with Kings in ye throne, where he placeth them for euer: thus 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 bee bound in fetters and tyed with the cordes of affliction,
If they are bound in chains, tied down by ropes of suffering,
9 Then will he shewe them their worke and their sinnes, because they haue bene proude.
then he explains to them what they've done—their arrogant sins.
10 He openeth also their eare to discipline, and commandeth them that they returne from iniquity.
He makes them pay attention and orders them to stop sinning.
11 If they obey and serue him, they shall end their dayes in prosperity, and their yeres in pleasures.
If they listen and do what God says they will live out their lives in happiness.
12 But if they wil not obey, they shall passe by the sworde, and perish without knowledge.
But if they do not listen they will die a violent death, ignorant of God.
13 But the hypocrites of heart increase the wrath: for they call not when he bindeth them.
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 soule dyeth in youth, and their life among the whoremongers.
They die in their youth; their lives end among the male temple prostitutes.
15 He deliuereth the poore in his affliction, and openeth their eare in trouble.
Through suffering God saves those who suffer; he gets their attention through their troubles.
16 Euen so woulde he haue taken thee out of the streight place into a broade place and not shut vp beneath: and that which resteth vpon thy table, had bene full of fat.
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 But thou art ful of the iudgement of the wicked, though iudgement and equitie maintaine all things.
But you are preoccupied with the fate of the wicked; judgment and justice fill your mind.
18 For Gods wrath is, least hee should take that away in thine abundance: for no multitude of giftes can deliuer thee.
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 Wil he regard thy riches? he regardeth not golde, nor all them that excel in strength.
Will your cry for help sustain you when troubles come?
20 Be not carefull in the night, howe he destroyeth the people out of their place.
Do not long for the night when people are suddenly taken away.
21 Take thou heede: looke not to iniquitie: for thou hast chosen it rather then affliction.
Watch out that you don't turn to evil! For it's because of this that you are being tested through suffering.
22 Beholde, God exalteth by his power: what teacher is like him?
Look how much power God has! What teacher is like him?
23 Who hath appointed to him his way? or who can say, Thou hast done wickedly?
Who has instructed him what to do? Who can say to him ‘You have done wrong’?
24 Remember that thou magnifie his worke, which men behold.
Instead you should praise him for what he has done, as people have done in song.
25 All men see it, and men beholde it afarre off.
Everyone has seen God's creation, though only from a distance.
26 Beholde, God is excellent, and we knowe him not, neither can the nomber of his yeres bee searched out.
See how great God is—more than we can understand! No one can count his years.
27 When he restraineth the droppes of water, the rayne powreth down by the vapour thereof,
He draws up the water and distils it into the dew and the rain.
28 Which raine the cloudes do droppe and let fall abundantly vpon man.
The clouds pour down rain, falling plentifully on humankind.
29 Who can know the diuisions of ye clouds and the thunders of his tabernacle?
Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out, or how thunder roars from where he lives?
30 Beholde, he spreadeth his light vpon it, and couereth the bottome of the sea.
See how he scatters lightning around him, and covers the depths of the sea in darkness.
31 For thereby hee iudgeth the people, and giueth meate abundantly.
By these actions he rules the people, he provides abundant food.
32 He couereth the light with the clouds, and commandeth them to go against it.
He holds lightning in his hands and commands where it should strike.
33 His companion sheweth him thereof, and there is anger in rising vp.
Thunder declares his presence—even cattle know when a storm is coming.
