Job 36
1 Addens quoque Eliu, hæc locutus est:
Elihu continued speaking.
2 Sustine me paululum, et indicabo tibi: adhuc enim habeo quod pro Deo loquar.
“Be patient with me just a little while longer and let me explain. I still have something to say on God's behalf.
3 Repetam scientiam meam a principio, et operatorem meum probabo iustum.
I will share my extensive knowledge, and I will prove my Creator is in the right.
4 Vere enim absque mendacio sermones mei, et perfecta scientia probabitur tibi.
I assure you that what I'm saying are not lies, for I am a man whose knowledge is of the highest order.
5 Deus potentes non abiicit, cum et ipse sit potens.
God is mighty, but doesn't despise anyone; he is powerful in strength and understanding.
6 Sed non salvat impios, et iudicium pauperibus tribuit.
He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives justice to the oppressed.
7 Non auferet a iusto oculos suos, et reges in solio collocat in perpetuum, et illi eriguntur.
He always pays attention those who do right, and places them on thrones with kings, honoring them eternally.
8 Et si fuerint in catenis, et vinciantur funibus paupertatis.
If they are bound in chains, tied down by ropes of suffering,
9 Indicabit eis opera eorum, et scelera eorum, quia violenti fuerunt.
then he explains to them what they've done—their arrogant sins.
10 Revelabit quoque aurem eorum, ut corripiat: et loquetur, ut revertantur ab iniquitate.
He makes them pay attention and orders them to stop sinning.
11 Si audierint et observaverint, complebunt dies suos in bono, et annos suos in gloria:
If they listen and do what God says they will live out their lives in happiness.
12 Si autem non audierint, transibunt per gladium, et consumentur in stultitia.
But if they do not listen they will die a violent death, ignorant of God.
13 Simulatores et callidi provocant iram Dei, neque clamabunt cum vincti fuerint.
Those who reject God hold on to their bitterness. Even when he disciplines them they do not cry out to him for help.
14 Morietur in tempestate anima eorum, et vita eorum inter effeminatos.
They die in their youth; their lives end among the male temple prostitutes.
15 Eripiet de angustia sua pauperem, et revelabit in tribulatione aurem eius.
Through suffering God saves those who suffer; he gets their attention through their troubles.
16 Igitur salvabit te de ore angusto latissime, et non habente fundamentum subter se: requies autem mensæ tuæ erit plena pinguedine.
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 Causa tua quasi impii iudicata est, causam iudiciumque recipies.
But you are preoccupied with the fate of the wicked; judgment and justice fill your mind.
18 Non te ergo superet ira, ut aliquem opprimas: nec multitudo donorum inclinet te.
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 Depone magnitudinem tuam absque tribulatione, et omnes robustos fortitudine.
Will your cry for help sustain you when troubles come?
20 Ne protrahas noctem, ut ascendant populi pro eis.
Do not long for the night when people are suddenly taken away.
21 Cave ne declines ad iniquitatem: hanc enim cœpisti sequi post miseriam.
Watch out that you don't turn to evil! For it's because of this that you are being tested through suffering.
22 Ecce, Deus excelsus in fortitudine sua, et nullus ei similis in legislatoribus.
Look how much power God has! What teacher is like him?
23 Quis poterit scrutari vias eius? aut quis potest ei dicere: Operatus es iniquitatem?
Who has instructed him what to do? Who can say to him ‘You have done wrong’?
24 Memento quod ignores opus eius, de quo cecinerunt viri.
Instead you should praise him for what he has done, as people have done in song.
25 Omnes homines vident eum, unusquisque intuetur procul.
Everyone has seen God's creation, though only from a distance.
26 Ecce, Deus magnus vincens scientiam nostram: numerus annorum eius inæstimabilis.
See how great God is—more than we can understand! No one can count his years.
27 Qui aufert stillas pluviæ, et effundit imbres ad instar gurgitum.
He draws up the water and distils it into the dew and the rain.
28 Qui de nubibus fluunt, quæ prætexunt cuncta desuper.
The clouds pour down rain, falling plentifully on humankind.
29 Si voluerit extendere nubes quasi tentorium suum,
Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out, or how thunder roars from where he lives?
30 Et fulgurare lumine suo desuper, cardines quoque maris operiet.
See how he scatters lightning around him, and covers the depths of the sea in darkness.
31 Per hæc enim iudicat populos, et dat escas multis mortalibus.
By these actions he rules the people, he provides abundant food.
32 In manibus abscondit lucem, et præcepit ei ut rursus adveniat.
He holds lightning in his hands and commands where it should strike.
33 Annunciat de ea amico suo, quod possessio eius sit, et ad eam possit ascendere.
Thunder declares his presence—even cattle know when a storm is coming.
