1 Elihu said:

2 Be patient a while longer;

I have something else to say

in God's defense.

3 God always does right—

and this knowledge

comes straight from God.*

4 You can rest assured

that what I say is true.

5 Although God is mighty,

he cares about everyone

and makes fair decisions.

6 The wicked are cut down,

and those who are wronged

receive justice.

7 God watches over good people

and places them in positions

of power and honor forever.

8 But when people are prisoners

of suffering and pain,

* 9 God points out their sin

and their pride,

10 then he warns them

to turn back to him.

11 And if they obey,

they will be successful

and happy from then on.

12 But if they foolishly refuse,

they will be rewarded

with a violent death.

13 Godless people are too angry

to ask God for help

when he punishes them.

14 So they die young

in shameful disgrace.

15 Hard times and trouble

are God's way

of getting our attention!

16 And at this very moment,

God deeply desires

to lead you from trouble

and to spread your table

with your favorite food.

17 Now that the judgment

for your sins

has fallen upon you,

18 don't let your anger

and the pain you endured

make you sneer at God.

19 Your reputation and riches

cannot protect you

from distress,

20 nor can you find safety

in the dark world below.*

21 Be on guard! Don't turn to evil

as a way of escape.

22 God's power is unlimited.

He needs no teachers

23 to guide or correct him.

24 Others have praised God

for what he has done,

so join with them.

25 From down here on earth,

everyone has looked up and seen

26 how great God is—

God is more than we imagine;

no one can count the years

he has lived.

* 27 God gathers moisture

into the clouds

28 and supplies us with rain.

29 Who can understand

how God scatters the clouds

and speaks from his home

in the thunderstorm?

30 And when God sends lightning,

it can be seen

at the bottom of the sea.*

31 By producing such rainstorms,

God rules the world

and provides us with food.

32 Each flash of lightning

is one of his arrows

striking its target,

33 and the thunder tells

of his anger against sin.*