Chapter 36

Elihu also proceeded,⁵⁵ and said,⁴

Suffer¹⁶ me a little, and I will shew¹⁷ thee that [I have] yet to speak on God's behalf.

I will fetch⁴ my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe⁴ righteousness to my Maker.⁶

For truly my words [shall] not [be] false: he that is perfect in knowledge [is] with thee.

Behold, God [is] mighty, and despiseth⁴ not [any: he is] mighty in strength [and] wisdom.

He preserveth not the life¹⁷ of the wicked: but giveth⁴ right to the poor.

He withdraweth⁴ not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings [are they] on the throne; yea, he doth establish⁵⁵ them for ever, and they are exalted.⁴

And if [they be] bound⁷ in fetters, [and] be holden¹¹ in cords of affliction;

Then he sheweth⁵⁵ them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.¹⁰¹

He openeth⁴ also their ear to discipline, and commandeth⁴ that they return⁴ from iniquity.

If they obey⁴ and serve⁴ [him], they shall spend¹⁷ their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

But if they obey⁴ not, they shall perish⁴ by the sword, and they shall die⁴ without knowledge.

But the hypocrites in heart heap up⁴ wrath: they cry¹⁷ not when he bindeth¹ them.

They die⁴ in youth, and their life [is] among the unclean.

He delivereth¹⁷ the poor in his affliction, and openeth⁴ their ears in oppression.

Even so would he have removed⁵² 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] full¹ of fatness.

But thou hast fulfilled¹ the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold⁴ [on thee].

Because [there is] wrath, [beware] lest he take thee away⁵⁵ with [his] stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver⁵⁵ thee.

Will he esteem⁴ thy riches? [no], not gold, nor all the forces of strength.

Desire⁴ not the night, when people are cut off² in their place.

Take heed,¹⁰ regard⁴ not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen¹ rather than affliction.

Behold, God exalteth⁵⁵ by his power: who teacheth⁵⁶ like him?

Who hath enjoined¹ him his way? or who can say,¹ Thou hast wrought¹ iniquity?

Remember³ that thou magnify⁵⁵ his work, which men behold.³¹

Every man may see¹ it; man may behold⁵⁵ [it] afar off.

Behold, God [is] great, and we know⁴ [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

For he maketh small¹⁷ the drops of water: they pour down⁴ rain according to the vapour thereof:

Which the clouds do drop⁴ [and] distil⁴ upon man abundantly.

Also can [any] understand⁴ the spreadings of the clouds, [or] the noise of his tabernacle?

Behold, he spreadeth¹ his light upon it, and covereth¹⁴ the bottom of the sea.

For by them judgeth⁴ he the people; he giveth⁴ meat in abundance.⁵⁶

With clouds he covereth¹⁴ the light; and commandeth¹⁷ it [not to shine] by [the cloud] that cometh betwixt.⁵⁶

The noise thereof sheweth⁵⁵ concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.⁶