English Standard Version

International Standard Version

1And Elihu continued, and said:

1Elihu responded again and said:

2“Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.

2"Be patient with me a moment longer, and I'll show you that there's more to say on God's behalf.

3I will get my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

3I'll take what I know to its logical conclusion and ascribe righteousness to my Creator,

4For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

4because what I have to say isn't deceptive, and the one who has perfect knowledge is with you."

5“Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding.

5"Indeed God is mighty and he doesn't show disrespect; he is mighty and strong of heart.

6He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives the afflicted their right.

6He doesn't let the wicked live; he grants justice to the afflicted.

7He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted.

7He won't stop looking at righteous people; he seats them on thrones with kings forever, and they are exalted.

8And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction,

8"If they're bound in chains, caught in ropes of affliction,

9then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.

9he'll reveal their actions to them, when their transgressions have become excessive.

10He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity.

10He opens their ears and instructs them, commanding them to repent from evil.

11If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness.

11If they listen and serve him, they'll finish their lives in prosperity and their years will be pleasant.

12But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

12"But if they won't listen, they'll perish by the sword and die in their ignorance.

13“The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them.

13The godless at heart cherish anger; they won't cry out for help when God afflicts them.

14They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes.

14They die in their youth; and their life will end among temple prostitutes.

15He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.

15He'll deliver the afflicted through their afflictions and open their ears when they are oppressed."

16He also allured you out of distress into a broad place where there was no cramping, and what was set on your table was full of fatness.

16"Indeed, he drew you away from the brink of distress to a spacious place without constraints, filling your festive table with bountiful food.

17“But you are full of the judgment on the wicked; judgment and justice seize you.

17But now you are occupied with the case of the wicked; but justice and judgment will be served.

18Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.

18So that no one entices you with riches, don't let a large ransom turn you astray.

19Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength?

19"Will your wealth sustain you when you're in distress, despite your most powerful efforts?

20Do not long for the night, when peoples vanish in their place.

20Don't long for night, when people vanish in their place.

21Take care; do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction.

21Be careful! Don't turn to evil, because of this you will be tried by more than affliction.

22Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?

22"Indeed, God is exalted in his power. Who is like him as a teacher?

23Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?

23Who ordained his path for him, and who has asked him, 'You are wrong, aren't you?'

24“Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung.

24Remember to magnify his awesome activities, about which mortal man has sung.

25All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar.

25All of mankind sees him; human beings observe him from afar off."

26Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable.

26"God is truly awesome, beyond what we know; the number of his years is unknowable.

27For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain,

27He draws up drops of water, distilling it to rain and mist.

28which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly.

28When the clouds pour down; they drop their rain on all of humanity.

29Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?

29"Furthermore, can anyone understand cloud patterns, or the thundering in his pavilion?

30Behold, he scatters his lightning about him and covers the roots of the sea.

30He scatters his lightning above it, and covers the bottom of the sea.

31For by these he judges peoples; he gives food in abundance.

31He uses them to judge some people and give food to many.

32He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark.

32His hands are covered with lightning that he commands to strike his designated target.

33Its crashing declares his presence; the cattle also declare that he rises.

33His thunder declares his presence; and tells the animals what is coming."

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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