Elihu Proclaims God’s Goodness (36:1-23)

CHAPTER 36

1 And Elihu proceeded and said, 2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet words for +God. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Creator. 4 For truly my words shall be no falsehood: one perfect in knowledge is with thee. 5 Lo, GOD is mighty, but despiseth not any; mighty in strength of understanding: 6 He saveth not the wicked alive; but he doeth justice to the afflicted. 7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne doth he even set them for ever; and they are exalted. 8 And if, bound in fetters, they be held in cords of affliction, 9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions, because they have increased. 10 And he openeth their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. 11 If they hearken and serve him, they shall accomplish their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 12 But if they hearken not, they shall pass away by the sword, and expire without knowledge. 13 But the godless in heart heap up anger; they cry not when he bindeth them: 14 Their soul dieth in youth, and their life is among the unclean. 15 But he delivereth the afflicted in his affliction, and openeth their ear in their oppression. 16 Even so would he have allured thee out of the jaws of distress into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and the supply of thy table would be full of fatness. 17 But thou art full of the judgments of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee. 18 Because there is wrath, beware lest it take thee away through chastisement: then a great ransom could not avail thee. 19 Will he esteem thy riches? Not gold, nor all the resources of strength! 20 Desire not the night, when peoples are cut off from their place. 21 Take heed, turn not to iniquity; for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. 22 Lo, GOD is exalted in his power: who teacheth as he? 23 Who hath appointed him his way? or who hath said, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty (36:24 – 37:24)

24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men celebrate. 25 All men look at it; man beholdeth it afar off. 26 Lo, GOD is great, and we comprehend him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. 27 For he draweth up the drops of water: they distil in rain from the vapour which he formeth, 28 Which the skies pour down and drop upon man abundantly. 29 But can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the crashing of his pavilion? 30 Lo, he spreadeth his light around him, and covereth the bottom of the sea. 31 For with them he judgeth the peoples; he giveth food in abundance. 32 His hands he covereth with lightning, and commandeth it where it is to strike. 33 His thundering declareth concerning him; the cattle even, concerning its coming.

CHAPTER 37

1 Aye, my heart trembleth at this also, and leapeth up out of its place: 2 Hear attentively the roar of his voice, and the murmur going forth from his mouth. 3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency, and holdeth not back the flashes when his voice is heard. 5 GOD thundereth marvellously with his voice, doing great things which we do not comprehend. 6 For he saith to the snow, Fall on the earth! and to the pouring rain, even the pouring rains of his might. 7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. 8 And the wild beast goeth into its lair, and they remain in their dens. 9 From the chamber of the south cometh the whirlwind; and cold from the winds of the north. 10 By the breath of GOD ice is given; and the breadth of the waters is straitened. 11 Also with plentiful moisture he loadeth the thick clouds, his light dispels the cloud; 12 And they are turned every way by his guidance, that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the circuit of the earth, 13 Whether he cause it to come as a rod, or for his land, or in mercy. 14 Hearken unto this, Job; stand still and discern the wondrous works of GOD. 15 Dost thou know how +God hath disposed them, and how he causeth the lightning of his cloud to flash? 16 Dost thou know about the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him that is perfect in knowledge? 17 How thy garments become warm when he quieteth the earth by the south wind? 18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, firm, like a molten mirror? 19 Teach us what we shall say unto him! We cannot order our words by reason of darkness. 20 Shall it be told him if I would speak? if a man so say, surely he shall be swallowed up. 21 And now men see not the light as it gleameth, it is hidden in the skies. But the wind passeth by and cleareth them. 22 From the north cometh gold; with +God is terrible majesty. 23 The Almighty, we cannot find him out: excellent in power, and in judgment, and in abundance of justice, he doth not afflict. 24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

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