NETtext - Job - 36

36:1  Elihu said further:

36:2  "Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God's behalf.

36:3  With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.

36:4  For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you.

36:5  Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.

36:6  He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor.

36:7  He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.

36:8  But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction,

36:9  then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.

36:10  And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil.

36:11  If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.

36:12  But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge.

36:13  The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them.

36:14  They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.

36:15  He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering.

36:16  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.

36:17  But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you.

36:18  Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

36:19  Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts?

36:20  Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes.

36:21  Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.

36:22  Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?

36:23  Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, 'You have done what is wicked'?

36:24  Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.

36:25  All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar.

36:26  "Yes, God is great - beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable.

36:27  He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist,

36:28  which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly.

36:29  Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?

36:30  See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea.

36:31  It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance.

36:32  With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target.

36:33  His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm's approach.