Job 36

1 Then Elihu continued, saying:

2 Be patient with me a little longer, and I will inform you,

for there is still more to be said on God’s behalf.

3 I will get my knowledge from a distant place

and ascribe justice to my Maker.

4 Indeed, my words are not false;

one who has complete knowledge is with you.

5 Yes, God is mighty, but he despises no one;

he understands all things.  * 36:5 Lit he is mighty in strength of heart,* 36:5 Jb 9:4; 12:13; 38:36

6 He does not keep the wicked alive,  * 36:6 Gn 18:25; Jb 8:20; 2Pt 2:9

but he gives justice to the oppressed.

7 He does not withdraw his gaze from the righteous,

but he seats them forever with enthroned kings,

and they are exalted.

8 If people are bound with chains

and trapped by the cords of affliction,

9 God tells them what they have done

and how arrogantly they have transgressed.

10 He opens their ears  * 36:10 Jb 4:12; 13:1; 33:16 to correction

and tells them to repent from iniquity.

11 If they listen and serve him,

they will end their days in prosperity

and their years in happiness.  * 36:11 Jb 21:13; 22:2; Is 1:19

12 But if they do not listen,

they will cross the river of death  * 36:12 Or will perish by the sword

and die without knowledge.  * 36:12 Jb 4:21; 33:18; Hs 4:6

13 Those who have a godless heart harbor anger;

even when God binds them, they do not cry for help.

14 They die in their youth;

their life ends among male cult prostitutes.  * 36:14 Dt 23:17; 1Kg 14:24; 22:46

15 God rescues the afflicted by their affliction;

he instructs them by their torment.

16 Indeed, he lured you from the jaws  * 36:16 Lit from a mouth of narrowness of distress

to a spacious and unconfined place.

Your table was spread with choice food.

17 Yet now you are obsessed with the judgment due the wicked;

judgment and justice have seized you.

18 Be careful that no one lures you with riches;  * 36:18 Or you into mockery

do not let a large ransom  * 36:18 Or bribe lead you astray.  * 36:18 1Sm 12:3; Ps 26:10; Am 5:12

19 Can your wealth  * 36:19 Or cry for help or all your physical exertion

keep you from distress?  * 36:19 1Sm 22:2; Jb 15:24; Ps 107:6,13,19,28

20 Do not long for the night

when nations will disappear from their places.

21 Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity,

for that is why you have been tested by  * 36:21 Or for you have preferred this to  affliction.

22 Look, God shows himself exalted by his power.

Who is a teacher like him?

23 Who has appointed his way for him,

and who has declared, "You have done wrong"?  * 36:23 Jb 34:10,13; Is 40:13–14; Rm 11:34

24 Remember that you should praise his work,

which people have sung about.  * 36:24 Ps 92:5; 104:33; Rv 15:3

25 All mankind has seen it;

people have looked at it from a distance.  * 36:25 Ps 19:3; Rm 1:19–20; Heb 11:13

26 Yes, God is exalted beyond our knowledge;  * 36:26 Jb 9:10; 37:5,23; Ec 8:17

the number of his years cannot be counted.  * 36:26 Ps 90:2; 102:24,27; Heb 1:12

27 For he makes waterdrops evaporate;  * 36:27 Lit he draws in waterdrops

they distill the rain into its  * 36:27 Or his  mist,  * 36:27 Gn 2:6; Jb 38:28; Ps 147:8

28 which the clouds pour out

and shower abundantly on mankind.

29 Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out

or how the thunder roars from God’s pavilion?  * 36:29 Jb 26:14; 37:16; Ps 105:39

30 See how he spreads his lightning  * 36:30 2Sm 22:15; Jb 38:28; Ps 18:14 around him

and covers the depths of the sea.

31 For he judges the nations with these;

he gives food in abundance.  * 36:31 Jb 37:13; Ps 136:25; Ac 14:17

32 He covers his hands with lightning

and commands it to hit its mark.

33 The  * 36:33 Lit His, or Its thunder declares his presence;  * 36:33 Lit thunder announces concerning him or it

the cattle also, the approaching storm.