36 Elihu
also proceeded, and said, 2 Suffer
me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf. 3 I
will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my
Maker. 4 For
truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is
with thee. 5 Behold,
God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. 6 He
preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. 7 He
withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on
the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. 8 And
if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; 9 Then
he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. 10 He
openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return
from iniquity. 11 If
they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and
their years in pleasures. 12 But
if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without
knowledge. 13 But
the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them. 14 They
die in youth, and their life is among the unclean. 15 He
delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
16
Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place,
where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table
should be full of fatness. 17 But
thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take
hold on thee. 18 Because
there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great
ransom cannot deliver thee. 19 Will
he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength. 20 Desire
not the night, when people are cut off in their place. 21 Take
heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. 22 Behold,
God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him? 23 Who
hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? 24 Remember
that thou magnify his work, which men behold. 25 Every
man may see it; man may behold it afar off. 26 Behold,
God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be
searched out. 27 For
he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the
vapour thereof: 28 Which
the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. 29 Also
can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? 30 Behold,
he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. 31 For
by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance. 32 With
clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud
that cometh betwixt. 33 The
noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.