📖 Job 36
-
1
Elihu’s Fourth Speech Elihu said further:
-
2
“Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.
-
3
With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.
-
4
For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you.
-
5
Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.
-
6
He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor.
-
7
He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.
-
8
But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction,
-
9
then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.
-
10
And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil.
-
11
If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.
-
12
But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge.
-
13
The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them.
-
14
They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.
-
15
He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering.
-
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.
-
17
But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you.
-
18
Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
-
19
Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts?
-
20
Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes.
-
21
Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.
-
22
Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?
-
23
Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him,‘You have done what is wicked’?
-
24
Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.
-
25
All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar.
-
26
The Work and Wisdom of God“Yes, God is great– beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable.
-
27
He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist,
-
28
which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly.
-
29
Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?
-
30
See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea.
-
31
It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance.
-
32
With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target.
-
33
His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm’s approach.