1 E lihu also proceeded and said:

2 “ Bear with me a little, and I will show you That there are yet words to speak on God’s behalf.

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

4 F or truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

5 “ Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.

6 H e does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed.

7 H e does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted.

8 A nd if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction,

9 T hen He tells them their work and their transgressions— That they have acted defiantly.

10 H e also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn 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 do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.

13 “ But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them.

14 T hey die in youth, And their life ends among the perverted persons.

15 H e delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression.

16 “ Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, Into a broad place where there is no restraint; And what is set on your table would be full of richness.

17 B ut you are filled with the judgment due the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.

18 B ecause there is wrath, beware lest He take you away with one blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid it.

19 W ill your riches, Or all the mighty forces, Keep you from distress?

20 D o not desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.

21 T ake heed, do not turn to iniquity, For you have chosen this rather than affliction.

22 “ Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?

23 W ho has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, ‘You have done wrong’? Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty

24 “ Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.

25 E veryone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar.

26 “ Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered.

27 F or He draws up drops of water, Which distill as rain from the mist,

28 W hich the clouds drop down And pour abundantly on man.

29 I ndeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy?

30 L ook, He scatters His light upon it, And covers the depths of the sea.

31 F or by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance.

32 H e covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike.

33 H is thunder declares it, The cattle also, concerning the rising storm.