• Elihu Speaks of God’s Dealings with Mankind

  • 1 Then Elihu continued and said,
  • 2 “Wait for me a little, and I will show you That there is still more to be said on God’s behalf.
  • 3 “I will bring my knowledge from afar, And ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
  • 4 “For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
  • 5 “Behold, God is mighty but does not reject anyone; He is mighty in strength of understanding.
  • 6 “He does not keep the wicked alive, But gives justice to the afflicted.
  • 7 “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous, But with kings on the throne He has seated them forever, and they are exalted.
  • 8 “And if they are bound in shackles, And are caught in the snares of misery,
  • 9 Then He declares to them their work And their wrongdoings, that they have been arrogant.
  • 10 “He opens their ears to instruction, And commands that they return from injustice.
  • 11 “If they listen and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity, And their years in happiness.
  • 12 “But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword, And die without knowledge.
  • 13 “But the godless in heart nurture anger; They do not call for help when He binds them.
  • 14 “They die in youth, And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes.
  • 15 “He rescues the afflicted in their misery, And opens their ears in time of oppression.
  • 16 “Then indeed, He induced you away from the mouth of distress, And instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And your table was full of rich food.
  • 17 “But you were full of judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.
  • 18 “Beware that wrath does not entice you to mockery; And do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
  • 19 “Will your cry for help keep you from distress, Or all the exertions of your strength?
  • 20 “Do not long for the night, When people vanish in their places.
  • 21 “Be careful, do not turn to evil, For you preferred this to misery.
  • 22 “Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him?
  • 23 “Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?
  • 24 “Remember that you are to exalt His work, Of which people have sung.
  • 25 “All people have seen it; Mankind looks at it from afar.
  • 26 “Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable.
  • 27 “For He draws up the drops of water; They distill rain from its celestial stream,
  • 28 Which clouds pour down; They drip upon mankind abundantly.
  • 29 “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion?
  • 30 “Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea.
  • 31 “For by them He judges peoples; He gives food in abundance.
  • 32 “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the target.
  • 33 “Its thundering voice declares His presence; The livestock also, concerning what is coming up.