Job 36 — NETB

36Verse 1Elihu said further:^{Verse 2}“Be patient with me a little longer
and I will instruct you,
for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.
^{Verse 3}With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively,
and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.
^{Verse 4}For in truth, my words are not false;
it is one complete in knowledge
who is with you.
^{Verse 5}Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people,
he is mighty, and firm in his intent.
^{Verse 6}He does not allow the wicked to live,
but he gives justice to the poor.
^{Verse 7}He does not take his eyes off the righteous;
but with kings on the throne
he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.
^{Verse 8}But if they are bound in chains,
and held captive by the cords of affliction,
^{Verse 9}then he reveals to them what they have done,
and their transgressions,
that they were behaving proudly.
^{Verse 10}And he reveals this for correction,
and says that they must turn from evil.
^{Verse 11}If they obey and serve him,
they live out their days in prosperity
and their years in pleasantness.
^{Verse 12}But if they refuse to listen,
they pass over the river of death,
and expire without knowledge.
^{Verse 13}The godless at heart nourish anger,
they do not cry out even when he binds them.
^{Verse 14}They die in their youth,
and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.
^{Verse 15}He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions,
he reveals himself to them by their suffering.
^{Verse 16}And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress,
to a wide place, unrestricted,
and to the comfort of your table
filled with rich food.
^{Verse 17}But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked,
judgment and justice take hold of you.
^{Verse 18}Be careful that no one entices you with riches;
do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
^{Verse 19}Would your wealth sustain you,
so that you would not be in distress,
even all your mighty efforts?
^{Verse 20}Do not long for the cover of night
to drag people away from their homes.
^{Verse 21}Take heed, do not turn to evil,
for because of this you have been tested by affliction.
^{Verse 22}Indeed, God is exalted in his power;
who is a teacher like him?
^{Verse 23}Who has prescribed his ways for him?
Or said to him, ‘You have done what is wicked’?
^{Verse 24}Remember to extol his work,
which people have praised in song.
^{Verse 25}All humanity has seen it;
people gaze on it from afar.

The Work and Wisdom of God

^{Verse 26}“Yes, God is great – beyond our knowledge!
The number of his years is unsearchable.
^{Verse 27}He draws up drops of water;
they distill the rain into its mist,
^{Verse 28}which the clouds pour down
and shower on humankind abundantly.
^{Verse 29}Who can understand the spreading of the clouds,
the thunderings of his pavilion?
^{Verse 30}See how he scattered his lightning about him;
he has covered the depths of the sea.
^{Verse 31}It is by these that he judges the nations
and supplies food in abundance.
^{Verse 32}With his hands he covers the lightning,
and directs it against its target.^{Verse 33}
His thunder announces the coming storm,
the cattle also, concerning the storm’s approach.