1
Moreover Elihu answered,
2
"Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's,'
3
That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'
4
I will answer you, and your companions with you.
5
Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.
6
If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7
If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
8
Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
9
"By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10
But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
11
who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'
12
There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.
13
Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will Shaddai regard it.
14
How much less when you say you do not see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him.
15
But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance.
16
Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge."
1
Elihu also continued, and said,
2
"Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God's behalf.
3
I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4
For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5
"Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6
He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right.
7
He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8
If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
9
then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10
He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.
11
If they listen and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12
But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge.
13
"But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They do not cry for help when he binds them.
14
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
15
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.
16
Yes, he 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.
17
"But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18
Do not let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
19
Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?
20
Do not desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21
Take heed, do not regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22
Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
23
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'
24
"Remember that you magnify his work, whereof men have sung.
25
All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off.
26
Behold, God is great, and we do not know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
27
For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,
28
Which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.
29
Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion?
30
Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
31
For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
32
He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.
33
Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.
1
"Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
2
Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3
He sends it forth under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4
After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn't hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5
God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend.
6
For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth;' likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain.
7
He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
8
Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.
9
Out of its chamber comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
10
By the breath of God, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen.
11
Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12
It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,
13
Whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
14
"Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15
Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16
Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17
You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18
Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19
Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness.
20
Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21
Now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
22
Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.
23
We can't reach Shaddai. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
24
Therefore men revere him. He doesn't regard any who are wise of heart."
