Job 36:1-33 ERV

[1] Elihu continued talking and said, [2] "Be patient with me a little longer. God has a few more words that he wants me to say. [3] I will share my knowledge with everyone. I will prove that my Maker is right. [4] Job, I am telling the truth. I know what I am talking about. [5] "God is very powerful, but he does not hate people. He is very powerful, but he is also very wise. [6] He will not let evil people live. He brings justice to the poor. [7] He watches over those who live right. He lets them rule in high places. [8] So if people are punished, if they are tied with chains and ropes, they did something wrong. [9] And God will tell them what they did, that they sinned and were proud. [10] He will force them to listen to his warning. He will command them to stop sinning. [11] If they serve and obey him, he will make them successful and they will live a happy life. [12] But if they refuse to obey him, they will be destroyed. They will die like fools. [13] "People who don't care about God are always bitter. Even when he punishes them, they refuse to pray to him for help. [14] They will die while they are still young, like the male prostitutes. [15] God saves those who suffer by using their suffering. He uses their troubles to speak in a way that makes them listen. [16] "In fact, God wants to help you out of your troubles. He wants to take away your burdens that are crushing you. He wants to load your table with plenty of food. [17] But you are full of this talk about guilt, judgment, and justice! [18] Job, don't let your anger fill you with doubt about God. And don't let the price of forgiveness turn you away. [19] Do you think your wealth will keep you out of trouble? Will your great strength be of any help to you now? [20] Don't be like those who wish darkness would come and hide them. They try to disappear into the night. [21] Job, don't let your suffering cause you to choose evil. Be careful not to do wrong. [22] "Look, God's power makes him great! He is the greatest teacher of all. [23] No one can tell him what to do. No one can say, 'God, you have done wrong.' [24] Remember to praise him for what he has done, as many others have done in song. [25] Everyone can see what he has done, even people in faraway countries. [26] Yes, God is great, but we cannot understand his greatness. We don't know how long he has lived. [27] "God takes up water from the earth and changes it into mist and rain. [28] So the clouds pour out the water, and the rain falls on many people. [29] No one can understand how he spreads the clouds out or how the thunder rumbles from his home in the sky. [30] Look, he spreads lightning all over the sky and covers the deepest part of the ocean. [31] He uses them to control the nations and to give them plenty of food. [32] He grabs the lightning with his hands, and commands it to strike where he wants. [33] The thunder warns that a storm is coming. So even the cattle know it is near.