1 | Elihu also continued, and said, |
2 | "Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God's behalf. |
3 | I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. |
4 | For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you. |
5 | "Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding. |
6 | He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right. |
7 | He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted. |
8 | If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions, |
9 | then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. |
10 | He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity. |
11 | If they listen and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. |
12 | But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge. |
13 | "But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them. |
14 | They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean. |
15 | He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression. |
16 | 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 | "But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you. |
18 | Don't let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside. |
19 | Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength? |
20 | Don't desire the night, when people are cut off in their place. |
21 | Take heed, don't regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction. |
22 | Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? |
23 | Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?' |
24 | "Remember that you magnify his work, whereof men have sung. |
25 | All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off. |
26 | Behold, God is great, and we don't know him. The number of his years is unsearchable. |
27 | For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor, |
28 | Which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly. |
29 | Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion? |
30 | Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea. |
31 | For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance. |
32 | He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. |
33 | Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up. |