International Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Elihu responded again and said:

1Then Elihu continued and said,

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

2"Wait for me a little, and I will show you That there is yet more to be said in God's behalf.

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

3"I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

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

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

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

5"Behold, God is mighty but does not despise any; He is mighty in strength of understanding.

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

6"He does not keep the wicked alive, But gives justice to the afflicted.

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

7"He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But with kings on the throne He has seated them forever, and they are exalted.

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

8"And if they are bound in fetters, And are caught in the cords of affliction,

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

9Then He declares to them their work And their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves.

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

10"He opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they return from evil.

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

11"If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures.

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

12"But if they do not hear, they shall perish by the sword And they will die without knowledge.

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

13"But the godless in heart lay up anger; They do not cry for help when He binds them.

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

14"They die in youth, And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes.

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

15"He delivers the afflicted in their affliction, And opens their ear in time of oppression.

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

16"Then indeed, He enticed you from the mouth of distress, Instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And that which was set on your table was full of fatness.

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

17"But you were full of judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.

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

18"Beware that wrath does not entice you to scoffing; And do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.

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

19"Will your riches keep you from distress, Or all the forces of your strength?

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

20"Do not long for the night, When people vanish in their place.

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

21"Be careful, do not turn to evil, For you have preferred this to affliction.

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

22"Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him?

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

23"Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, 'You have done wrong '?

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

24"Remember that you should exalt His work, Of which men have sung.

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

25"All men have seen it; Man beholds from afar.

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

26"Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable.

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

27"For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist,

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

28Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly.

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

29"Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion?

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

30"Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea.

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

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

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

32"He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark.

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

33"Its noise declares His presence; The cattle also, concerning what is coming up.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org