Capítulo 36

1 - Elihu continued:

2 - "Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's behalf.

3 - I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker.

4 - Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.

5 - "God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.

6 - He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.

7 - He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.

8 - But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction,

9 - he tells them what they have done - that they have sinned arrogantly.

10 - He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.

11 - If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

12 - But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword Or [will cross the river] and die without knowledge.

13 - "The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.

14 - They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines.

15 - But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.

16 - "He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.

17 - But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you.

18 - Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

19 - Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?

20 - Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. The meaning of the Hebrew for verses 18-20 is uncertain.

21 - Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.

22 - "God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?

23 - Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'?

24 - Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.

25 - All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar.

26 - How great is God - beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.

27 - "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams Or [distill from the mist as rain];

28 - the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind.

29 - Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?

30 - See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea.

31 - This is the way he governs Or [nourishes] the nations and provides food in abundance.

32 - He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.

33 - His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach. Or [announces his coming - / the One zealous against evil]