Job 36
1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,
Elihu also continued, and said,
2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that [I have] yet to speak on God’s behalf.
“Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God’s behalf.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words [shall] not [be] false: he that is perfect in knowledge [is] with thee.
For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5 Behold, God [is] mighty, and despiseth not [any: he is] mighty in strength [and] wisdom.
“Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the afflicted.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings [are they] on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8 And if [they be] bound in fetters, [and] be holden in cords of affliction;
If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve [him], they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
If they listen and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
But if they don’t listen, they will perish by the sword; they will die without knowledge.
13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
“But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don’t cry for help when he binds them.
14 They die in youth, and their life [is] among the unclean.
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.
16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait [into] a broad place, where [there is] no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table [should be] full of fatness.
Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a wide place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.
17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold [on thee].
“But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 Because [there is] wrath, [beware] lest he take thee away with [his] stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
Don’t let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
19 Will he esteem thy riches? [no], not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?
20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
Don’t desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
Take heed, don’t regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness’?
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
“Remember that you magnify his work, about which men have sung.
25 Every man may see it; man may behold [it] afar off.
All men have looked on it. Man sees it afar off.
26 Behold, God [is] great, and we know [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,
28 Which the clouds do drop [and] distil upon man abundantly.
which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.
29 Also can [any] understand the spreadings of the clouds, [or] the noise of his tabernacle?
Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunderings of his pavilion?
30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it [not to shine] by [the cloud] that cometh betwixt.
He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.
33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also, concerning the storm that comes up.
