1 E lihu 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 F or 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 H e doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right.

7 H e doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.

8 I f they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,

9 t hen he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

10 H e also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.

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

12 B ut if they don’t listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge.

13 “ But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don’t cry for help when he binds them.

14 T hey die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.

15 H e delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.

16 Y es, 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 you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.

18 D on’t let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.

19 W ould your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?

20 D on’t desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.

21 T ake heed, don’t regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.

22 B ehold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?

23 W ho 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 A ll men have looked on it. Man sees it afar off.

26 B ehold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.

27 F or he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,

28 W hich the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.

29 Y es, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion?

30 B ehold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.

31 F or by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.

32 H e covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.

33 I ts noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.