36 E·liʹhu continued:
2 “Be patient with me a little longer while I explain,
For I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.
3 I will speak comprehensively about what I know,
And I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.+
4 Truly my words are not false;
The One perfect in knowledge+ is here before you.
5 Indeed, God is mighty+ and rejects no one;
He is great in his power of understanding.
6 He will not preserve the lives of the wicked,+
But he gives justice to the afflicted.+
7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous;+
He enthrones them with kings,+ and they are exalted forever.
8 But if they are bound in shackles
And caught in ropes of affliction,
9 He reveals to them what they have done,
Their transgressions caused by their pride.
10 He opens their ears to correction
And tells them to turn away from wrongdoing.+
11 If they obey and serve him,
They will live out their days in prosperity,
And their years will be pleasant.+
12 But if they do not obey, they will perish by the sword+
And die without knowledge.
13 The godless at heart will harbor resentment.
They do not cry for help even when he binds them.
14 They die while still young,+
Spending their life among male temple prostitutes.+
15 But God rescues the afflicted during their affliction;
He opens their ear when they are oppressed.
16 He draws you away from the brink of distress+
To a broad space, free of restriction,+
With rich food on your table as consolation.+
17 Then you will be satisfied with the judgment on the wicked,+
When judgment is rendered and justice is upheld.
18 But take care that rage does not lead you into spitefulness,+
And do not let a large bribe lead you astray.
19 Would your cry for help
Or any of your strenuous efforts keep you from distress?+
20 Do not long for the night,
When people vanish from their place.
21 Beware that you do not turn to wrongdoing,
Choosing this instead of affliction.+
22 Look! God is exalted in his power;
What instructor is like him?
23 Who has directed his way+
Or said to him, ‘What you have done is wrong’?+
24 Remember to magnify his activity,+
Of which men have sung.+
25 All mankind has seen it,
Mortal man looks on from a distance.
26 Yes, God is greater than we can know;+
The number of his years is beyond comprehension.+
27 He draws up the drops of water;+
They condense into rain from his mist;
28 Then the clouds pour it down;+
They shower down upon mankind.
29 Can anyone understand the layers of clouds,
The thundering from his tent?+
30 See how he spreads his lightning+ over it
And covers the depths of the sea.
31 By these he sustains the peoples;
He gives them food in abundance.+
32 With his hands he covers the lightning,
And he directs it against its target.+
33 His thunder tells about him,
Even the livestock tell who is coming.