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36 Eliu also proceeded, and said:

Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee: for I have yet somewhat to speak in God's behalf.

I will repeat my knowledge from the beginning, and I will prove my Maker just.

For indeed my words are without a lie, and perfect knowledge shall be proved to thee.

God doth not cast away the mighty, whereas he himself also is mighty.

But he saveth not the wicked, and he giveth judgment to the poor.

He will not take away his eyes from the just, and he placeth kings on the throne for ever, and they are exalted.

And if they shall be in chains, and be bound with the cords of poverty:

He shall shew them their works, and their wicked deeds, because they have been violent.

10 He also shall open their ear, to correct them: and shall speak, that they may return from iniquity.

11 If they shall hear and observe, they shall accomplish their days in good, and their years in glory.

12 But if they hear not, they shall pass by the sword, and shall be consumed in folly.

13 Dissemblers and crafty men prove the wrath of God, neither shall they cry when they are bound.

14 Their soul shall die in a storm, and their life among the effeminate.

15 He shall deliver the poor out of his distress, and shall open his ear in affliction.

16 Therefore he shall set thee at large out of the narrow mouth, and which hath no foundation under it: and the rest of thy table shall be full of fatness.

17 Thy cause hath been judged as that of the wicked, cause and judgment thou shalt recover.

18 Therefore let not anger overcome thee to oppress any man: neither let multitude of gifts turn thee aside.

19 Lay down thy greatness without tribulation, and all the mighty of strength.

20 Prolong not the night that people may come up for them.

21 Beware thou turn not aside to iniquity: for this thou hast begun to follow after misery.

22 Behold, God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the lawgivers.

23 Who can search out his ways? or who can say to him: Thou has wrought iniquity?

24 Remember that thou knowest not his work, concerning which men have sung.

25 All men see him, every one beholdeth afar off.

26 Behold, God is great, exceeding our knowledge: the number of his years is inestimable.

27 He lifteth up the drops of rain, and poureth out showers like floods:

28 Which flow from the clouds that cover all above.

29 If he will spread out clouds as his tent,

30 And lighten with his light from above, he shall cover also the ends of the sea.

31 For by these he judgeth people, and giveth food to many mortals.

32 In his hands he hideth the light, and commandeth it to come again.

33 He sheweth his friend concerning it, that it is his possession, and that he may come up to it.

36 Elihu continued:

“Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
    that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.
I get my knowledge from afar;(A)
    I will ascribe justice to my Maker.(B)
Be assured that my words are not false;(C)
    one who has perfect knowledge(D) is with you.(E)

“God is mighty,(F) but despises no one;(G)
    he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.(H)
He does not keep the wicked alive(I)
    but gives the afflicted their rights.(J)
He does not take his eyes off the righteous;(K)
    he enthrones them with kings(L)
    and exalts them forever.(M)
But if people are bound in chains,(N)
    held fast by cords of affliction,(O)
he tells them what they have done—
    that they have sinned arrogantly.(P)
10 He makes them listen(Q) to correction(R)
    and commands them to repent of their evil.(S)
11 If they obey and serve him,(T)
    they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity(U)
    and their years in contentment.(V)
12 But if they do not listen,
    they will perish by the sword[a](W)
    and die without knowledge.(X)

13 “The godless in heart(Y) harbor resentment;(Z)
    even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.(AA)
14 They die in their youth,(AB)
    among male prostitutes of the shrines.(AC)
15 But those who suffer(AD) he delivers in their suffering;(AE)
    he speaks(AF) to them in their affliction.(AG)

16 “He is wooing(AH) you from the jaws of distress
    to a spacious place(AI) free from restriction,(AJ)
    to the comfort of your table(AK) laden with choice food.(AL)
17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;(AM)
    judgment and justice have taken hold of you.(AN)
18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
    do not let a large bribe(AO) turn you aside.(AP)
19 Would your wealth(AQ) or even all your mighty efforts
    sustain you so you would not be in distress?
20 Do not long for the night,(AR)
    to drag people away from their homes.[b]
21 Beware of turning to evil,(AS)
    which you seem to prefer to affliction.(AT)

22 “God is exalted in his power.(AU)
    Who is a teacher like him?(AV)
23 Who has prescribed his ways(AW) for him,(AX)
    or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?(AY)
24 Remember to extol his work,(AZ)
    which people have praised in song.(BA)
25 All humanity has seen it;(BB)
    mortals gaze on it from afar.
26 How great is God—beyond our understanding!(BC)
    The number of his years is past finding out.(BD)

27 “He draws up the drops of water,(BE)
    which distill as rain to the streams[c];(BF)
28 the clouds pour down their moisture
    and abundant showers(BG) fall on mankind.(BH)
29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,
    how he thunders(BI) from his pavilion?(BJ)
30 See how he scatters his lightning(BK) about him,
    bathing the depths of the sea.(BL)
31 This is the way he governs[d] the nations(BM)
    and provides food(BN) in abundance.(BO)
32 He fills his hands with lightning
    and commands it to strike its mark.(BP)
33 His thunder announces the coming storm;(BQ)
    even the cattle make known its approach.[e](BR)

Footnotes

  1. Job 36:12 Or will cross the river
  2. Job 36:20 The meaning of the Hebrew for verses 18-20 is uncertain.
  3. Job 36:27 Or distill from the mist as rain
  4. Job 36:31 Or nourishes
  5. Job 36:33 Or announces his coming— / the One zealous against evil