1 E lihu also proceeded, and said,

2 S uffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.

3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

4 F or truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

5 B ehold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.

6 H e preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.

7 H e 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.

8 A nd if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;

9 t hen he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

10 H e openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

11 I f they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

12 B ut if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

13 B ut the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.

14 T hey die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.

15 H e delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.

16 E ven 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.

17 B ut thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.

18 B ecause there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.

19 W ill he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.

20 D esire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.

21 T ake heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

22 B ehold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

23 W ho hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

24 R emember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

25 E very man may see it; man may behold it afar off.

26 B ehold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

27 F or he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:

28 w hich the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.

29 A lso can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

30 B ehold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.

31 F or by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.

32 W ith clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.

33 T he noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.