Job 36

Elihu Keeps Speaking

1 Elihu kept on and said,

2 “Hold up a little longer, let me speak, I got more to say on God’s behalf.

3 I will pull my knowledge from far off and prove my Maker is right.

4 My words are not lies; the One speaking to you has perfect knowledge.”

God Is Just and Mighty

5 “See, God is mighty, but He does not despise anyone; He is mighty in strength and wisdom.

6 He does not let the wicked live but gives the afflicted their rights.

7 He never takes His eyes off the righteous; He seats them with kings, exalts them forever.

8 But if they are bound in chains, caught up in cords of affliction,

9 He shows them their deeds, their sins, that they acted arrogantly.

10 He opens their ears to discipline, tells them to turn back from evil.

11 If they listen and serve Him, they finish their days in prosperity and years in pleasure.

12 But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword, die without knowledge.”

God Judges with Justice

13 “The godless in heart store up anger; they do not cry out for help when He ties them down.

14 They die young, among prostitutes in the temple.

15 But He delivers the afflicted through their suffering, opens their ears by distress.

16 God was wooing you out of distress into a wide place with no restriction, with food rich and full on your table.

17 But now you are loaded with judgment due to the wicked; justice and judgment have grabbed hold of you.

18 Be careful, anger might tempt you into scoffing, do not let a big bribe turn you aside.

19 Would your wealth or all your mighty efforts keep you out of distress,

20 Do not long for the night, when people vanish in their place.

21 Watch yourself! Do not turn to evil, because you have preferred this affliction over being taught.”

God’s Power Over Creation

22 “Look, God is exalted in His power, who is a teacher like Him,

23 Who prescribed His way for Him, or said, ‘You have done wrong’,

24 Remember to extol His work, which people have sung about.

25 All humanity looks at it; people gaze from afar.

26 See, God is so great beyond our understanding; His years cannot be counted.

27 He draws up the drops of water, they distill rain from the mist,

28 The clouds pour it down, they drip abundantly on mankind.

29 Can anyone understand how the clouds spread, the thunder from His booth,

30 Look, He spreads His lightning around Him, covers the depths of the sea.

31 That is how He judges peoples, gives food in abundance.

32 He covers His hands with lightning and commands it to strike the target.

33 Its crashing announces His presence; even cattle know a storm is coming.”