Elihu Extols God’s Greatness

36 And Elihu continued, and said:

2  “Bear with me a little, and I will show you,

for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.

3  I will get my knowledge from oafar

and ascribe prighteousness to my qMaker.

4  For truly my words are not false;

one who is rperfect in knowledge is with you.

5  “Behold, God is mighty, and sdoes not despise any;

he is tmighty in strength of understanding.

6  He does not keep the wicked alive,

but gives uthe afflicted their right.

7  He does not withdraw his veyes from the righteous,

but with wkings on the throne

he sets them forever, and they are xexalted.

8  And if they are ybound in chains

and caught in the cords of affliction,

9  then he declares to them their work

and their transgressions, that they are zbehaving arrogantly.

10  He aopens their ears to instruction

and commands that they breturn from iniquity.

11  cIf they listen and serve him,

they dcomplete their days in prosperity,

and their years in pleasantness.

12  But if they do not listen, they eperish by the sword

and die fwithout knowledge.

13  “The ggodless in heart cherish anger;

they do not cry for help when he hbinds them.

14  They idie in youth,

and their life ends among the cult prostitutes.

15  He delivers jthe afflicted by their affliction

and kopens their ear by adversity.

16  He also allured you out of distress

into la broad place where there was no cramping,

and what was set on your mtable was full of nfatness.

17  “But you are full of the judgment on the wicked;

judgment and justice seize you.

18  Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing,

and let not the greatness of othe ransom turn you aside.

19  Will your pcry for help avail to keep you from distress,

or all the force of your strength?

20  Do not long for qthe night,

when peoples vanish rin their place.

21  Take care; sdo not turn to iniquity,

for this you have chosen rather than affliction.