Job 36
1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,
Elihu continued speaking.
2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on 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 fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
I will share my extensive knowledge, and I will prove my Creator is in the right.
4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is 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, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
God is mighty, but doesn't despise anyone; he is powerful in strength and understanding.
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives justice to the oppressed.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them 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 be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
If they are bound in chains, tied down by ropes of suffering,
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
then he explains to them what they've done—their arrogant sins.
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
He makes them pay attention and orders them to stop sinning.
11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
If they listen and do what God says they will live out their lives in happiness.
12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
But if they do not listen they will die a violent death, ignorant of God.
13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry 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 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
They die in their youth; their lives end among the male temple prostitutes.
15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
Through suffering God saves those who suffer; he gets their attention through their troubles.
16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should 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 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
But you are preoccupied with the fate of the wicked; judgment and justice fill your mind.
18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver 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 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
Will your cry for help sustain you when troubles come?
20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
Do not long for the night when people are suddenly taken away.
21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
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 exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
Look how much power God has! What teacher is like him?
23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
Who has instructed him what to do? Who can say to him ‘You have done wrong’?
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
Instead you should praise him for what he has done, as people have done in song.
25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
Everyone has seen God's creation, though only from a distance.
26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
See how great God is—more than we can understand! No one can count his years.
27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
He draws up the water and distils it into the dew and the rain.
28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
The clouds pour down rain, falling plentifully on humankind.
29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out, or how thunder roars from where he lives?
30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
See how he scatters lightning around him, and covers the depths of the sea in darkness.
31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
By these actions he rules the people, he provides abundant food.
32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
He holds lightning in his hands and commands where it should strike.
33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
Thunder declares his presence—even cattle know when a storm is coming.
