Job 36:1-33 AMPC

[1] Elihu proceeded and said, [2] Bear with me and wait a little longer, and I will show you, for I have something still to say on God's behalf. [3] I will bring my knowledge from afar and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. [4] For truly my words shall not be false; He Who is perfect in knowledge is with you. [5] Behold! God is mighty, and yet despises no one nor regards anything as trivial; He is mighty in power of understanding and heart. [6] He does not prolong the life of the wicked, but gives the needy and afflicted their right. [7] He withdraws not His eyes from the righteous (the upright in right standing with God); but He sets them forever with kings upon the throne, and they are exalted. [8] And if they are bound in fetters [of adversity] and held by cords of affliction, [9] Then He shows to them [the true character of] their deeds and their transgressions, that they have acted arrogantly [with presumption and self-sufficiency]. [10] He also opens their ears to instruction and discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity. [11] If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy. [12] But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword [of God's destructive judgments], and they shall die in ignorance of true knowledge. [13] But the godless and profane in heart heap up anger [at the divine discipline]; they do not cry to Him when He binds them [with cords of affliction]. [14] They die in youth, and their life perishes among the unclean (those who are sodomites). [15] He delivers the afflicted in their affliction and opens their ears [to His voice] in adversity. [16] Indeed, God would have allured you out of the mouth of distress into a broad place where there is no situation of perplexity or privation; and that which would be set on your table would be full of fatness. [17] But if you [Job] are filled with the judgment of the wicked, judgment and justice will keep hold on you. [18] For let not wrath entice you into scorning chastisements; and let not the greatness of the ransom [the suffering, if rightly endured] turn you aside. [19] Will your cry be sufficient to keep you from distress, or will all the force of your strength do it? [20] Desire not the night, when peoples are cut off from their places; [21] Take heed, turn not to iniquity, for this [the iniquity of complaining against God] you have chosen rather than [submission in] affliction. [22] Behold, God exalts and does loftily in His power; who is a ruler or a teacher like Him? [23] Who has appointed God His way? Or who can say, You have done unrighteousness? [24] Remember that [by submission] you magnify God's work, of which men have sung. [25] All men have looked upon God's work; man may behold it afar off. [26] Behold, God is great, and we know Him not! The number of His years is unsearchable. [27] For He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain from His vapor, [28] Which the skies pour down and drop abundantly upon [the multitudes of] mankind. [29] Not only that, but can anyone understand the spreadings of the clouds or the thunderings of His pavilion? [30] Behold, He spreads His lightning against the dark clouds and covers the roots of the sea. [31] For by [His clouds] God executes judgment upon the peoples; He gives food in abundance. [32] He covers His hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. [33] His thunderings speak [awesomely] concerning Him; the cattle are told of His coming storm.