Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

v1

Then ^[Hebrew “And”] Elihu continued and said,

v2

“Bear with me a little longer, and I will explain, ^[Literally “I will show you”] for I still have something to say on God’s behalf. ^[Literally “yet on behalf of God words/sentences”]

v3

I will bring my knowledge from far away, and I will ascribe righteousness to my maker,

v4

for truly my words ^[Or “what I have to say”] are not falsehood; one who has perfect knowledge is with you. ^[In other words, “Somebody who knows what he is talking about is addressing you”]

v5

Look, God is mighty but ^[Hebrew “and”] does not despise anyone; he is mighty and good in understanding. ^[Literally “strength of heart”]

v6

He does not keep the wicked alive but ^[Hebrew “and”] grants justice to the afflicted.

v7

He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but ^[Hebrew “and”] he sets them forever with kings on the throne, and they are exalted.

v8

“And if they are tied up with fetters, if they are caught in the cords of misery,

v9

then ^[Hebrew “and”] he declares their work to them, and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.

v10

So ^[Hebrew “And”] he opens their ear to the discipline, and he commands that they return from mischief.

v11

If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.

v12

But ^[Hebrew “And”] if they do not listen, they perish by the sword, and they pass away without knowledge.

v13

And the godless of heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them.

v14

They die in their youth, ^[Literally “It dies in the youth of their self”] and their life ends among the male shrine prostitutes.

v15

He delivers the afflicted by his misery, and he opens their ears by the adversity.

v16

And what’s more, he allured you out of distress ^[Literally “from the mouth of distress”] into a broad place, where in place of it was no constraint; and what was set on your table is full of fatness.

v17

But ^[Hebrew “And”] you are obsessed with the judgment of the wicked; judgment and justice take hold of you.

v18

Yes, ^[Or “Indeed”] it is wrath, so that it will not incite you into mockery; and do not let the ransom’s greatness turn you aside.

v19

Will your cry for help sustain you without distress, or ^[Hebrew “and”] all the efforts of your strength?

v20

You must not long for the night, to cut off people in their place. ^[Literally “in place of them”]

v21

Take care, you must not turn to mischief, for because of this you have been tried by misery.

v22

“Look, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?

v23

Who has prescribed his way for him? Or ^[Hebrew “And”] who says, ‘You have done wrong’?

v24

Remember that you should extol his work, of which people have sung.

v25

All human beings have looked on it; everyone watches from afar.

v26

“Look, God is exalted, and we do not know him; the number of his years is unsearchable.

v27

Indeed, he draws up the drops of water; he distills the rain into its mist,

v28

which the clouds pour down; they shower abundantly on human beings.

v29

“Moreover, can anyone understand ^[Literally “if he can understand”] the spreading of clouds, the thundering of his dwelling place?

v30

Look, he scatters his lightning around him, and he covers the roots of the sea.

v31

Indeed, he judges people by them; he gives food in abundance. ^[Literally “as far as providing in abundance”]

v32

He covers his hands with lightning, and he commands it the place at which to strike.

v33

His thundering tells about him; the livestock also tell concerning what rises. ^[Literally “about going up”]