NET Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Elihu said further:

1Then Elihu continued and said,

2"Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak 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.

3With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.

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

4For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you.

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

5Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.

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

6He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor.

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

7He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.

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.

8But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction,

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

9then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.

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

10And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil.

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

11If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.

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

12But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge.

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

13The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds 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 ends among the male cultic prostitutes.

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

15He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering.

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

16And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress, to a wide place, unrestricted, and to the comfort of your table filled with rich 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 preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you.

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

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

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

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

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

20Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes.

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

21Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.

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

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

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

23Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, 'You have done what is wicked'?

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

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

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

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

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

26"Yes, God is great--beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable.

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

27He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist,

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

28which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly.

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

29Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?

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

30See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea.

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

31It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance.

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

32With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target.

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

33His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm's approach.

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

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