Job 36:1-33 NLT

[1] Elihu continued speaking: [2] "Let me go on, and I will show you the truth. For I have not finished defending God! [3] I will present profound arguments for the righteousness of my Creator. [4] I am telling you nothing but the truth, for I am a man of great knowledge. [5] "God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding. [6] He does not let the wicked live but gives justice to the afflicted. [7] He never takes his eyes off the innocent, but he sets them on thrones with kings and exalts them forever. [8] If they are bound in chains and caught up in a web of trouble, [9] he shows them the reason. He shows them their sins of pride. [10] He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil. [11] "If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant. [12] But if they refuse to listen to him, they will cross over the river of death, dying from lack of understanding. [13] For the godless are full of resentment. Even when he punishes them, they refuse to cry out to him for help. [14] They die when they are young, after wasting their lives in immoral living. [15] But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity. [16] "God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food. [17] But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don't worry, judgment and justice will be upheld. [18] But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth. Don't let yourself be bribed into sin. [19] Could all your wealth or all your mighty efforts keep you from distress? [20] Do not long for the cover of night, for that is when people will be destroyed. [21] Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil. [22] "Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him? [23] No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, 'You have done wrong.' [24] Instead, glorify his mighty works, singing songs of praise. [25] Everyone has seen these things, though only from a distance. [26] "Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted. [27] He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain. [28] The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits. [29] Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven? [30] See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights up the depths of the sea. [31] By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance. [32] He fills his hands with lightning bolts and hurls each at its target. [33] The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger.