Chapter
36
Elihu also continued, and said,
"Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God's behalf.
I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
"Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. She is mighty in strength of understanding.
She doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right.
She doesn't withdraw her eyes from the righteous, but with queens on the throne, she sets them forever, and they are exalted.
If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
then she shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
She also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.
If they listen and serve her, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge.
"But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when she binds them.
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
She delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.
Yes, she would have allured you out of distress, into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.
"But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
Don't let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?
Don't desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.
Take heed, don't regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
Behold, God is exalted in her power. Who is a teacher like her?
Who has prescribed her way for her? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'
"Remember that you magnify her work, whereof women have sung.
All women have looked thereon. Woman sees it afar off.
Behold, God is great, and we don't know her. The number of her years is unsearchable.
For she draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from her vapor,
Which the skies pour down and which drop on woman abundantly.
Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of her pavilion?
Behold, she spreads her light around her. She covers the bottom of the sea.
For by these she judges the people. She gives food in abundance.
She covers her hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.
Its noise tells about her, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.