Job Chapter 36 Back Next{36:1}
Elihu also continued, and said,
{36:2} "Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God's behalf.
{36:3} I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
{36:4} For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
{36:5} "Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
{36:6} He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right.
{36:7} He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
{36:8} If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
{36:9} then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
{36:10} He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.
{36:11} If they listen and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
{36:12} But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge.
{36:13} "But those who are godless in
heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them.
{36:14} They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
{36:15} He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.
{36:16} 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.
{36:17} "But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
{36:18} Don't let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
{36:19} Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?
{36:20} Don't desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.
{36:21} Take heed, don't regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
{36:22} Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
{36:23} Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'
{36:24} "Remember that you magnify his work, whereof men have sung.
{36:25} All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off.
{36:26} Behold, God is great, and we don't know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
{36:27} For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,
{36:28} Which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.
{36:29} Yes, can any understand the spreading of the
clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion?
{36:30} Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
{36:31} For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
{36:32} He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.
{36:33} Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.
Job Chapter 36 Back Next