Job 36

1Elihu also proceeded, and said,

2Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.footnote a

3I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

4For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

5Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.footnote b

6He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.footnote c

7He 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.

8And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;

9Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

10He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

11If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

12But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.footnote d

13But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.

14They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.footnote efootnote f

15He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.footnote g

16Even 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.footnote h

17But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.footnote i

18Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.footnote j

19Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.

20Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.

21Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

22Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

23Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

24Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

25Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.

26Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

27For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:

28Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.

29Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

30Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.footnote k

31For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.

32With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.

33The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.footnote l

Elihu Describes God’s Power

1And Elihu continued:

2“Bear with me a little longer, and I will show youthat there is more to be said on God’s behalf. 3I get my knowledge from afar,and I will ascribe justice to my Maker. 4For truly my words are free of falsehood;one perfect in knowledge is with you.

5Indeed, God is mighty, but He despises no one;He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6He does not keep the wicked alive,but He grants justice to the afflicted. 7He does not take His eyes off the righteous,but He enthrones them with kingsand exalts them forever.

8And if men are bound with chains,caught in cords of affliction, 9then He tells them their deedsand how arrogantly they have transgressed. 10He opens their ears to correctionand commands that they turn from iniquity. 11If they obey and serve Him,then they end their days in prosperityand their years in happiness. 12But if they do not obey,then they perish by the swordfootnote aand die without knowledge.

13The godless in heart harbor resentment;even when He binds them, they do not cry for help. 14They die in their youth,among the male shrine prostitutes. 15God rescues the afflicted by their afflictionfootnote band opens their ears in oppression.

16Indeed, He drew you from the jaws of distressto a spacious and broad place,to a table full of richness. 17But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;judgment and justice have seized you. 18Be careful that no one lures you with riches;do not let a large bribe lead you astray. 19Can your wealthfootnote cor all your mighty effortkeep you from distress? 20Do not long for the night,when people vanish from their homes. 21Be careful not to turn to iniquity,for this you have preferred to affliction.

22Behold, God is exalted in His power.Who is a teacher like Him? 23Who has appointed His way for Him,or told Him, ‘You have done wrong’? 24Remember to magnify His work,which men have praised in song. 25All mankind has seen it;men behold it from afar. 26Indeed, God is great—beyond our knowledge;the number of His years is unsearchable. 27For He draws up drops of waterwhich distill the rain from the mist, 28which the clouds pour outand shower abundantly on mankind. 29Furthermore, who can understand how the clouds spread out,how the thunder roars from His pavilion? 30See how He scatters His lightning around Himand covers the depths of the sea. 31For by these He judgesfootnote dthe nationsand provides food in abundance. 32He fills His hands with lightningand commands it to strike its mark. 33The thunder declares His presence;even the cattle regard the rising storm.