Job

The book of Job, chapter 36, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 36 New English Translation

Elihu's Fourth Speech

   1 Elihu said further:
   2 "Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God's behalf.
   3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.
   4 For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you.
   5 Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.
   6 He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor.
   7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.
   8 But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction,
   9 then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.
   10 And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil.
   11 If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.
   12 But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge.
   13 The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them.
   14 They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.
   15 He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering.
   16 And 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.
   17 But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you.
   18 Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
   19 Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts?
   20 Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes.
   21 Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.
   22 Indeed, 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 what is wicked'?
   24 Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.
   25 All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar.

The Work and Wisdom of God

   26 "Yes, God is great - beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable.
   27 He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist,
   28 which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly.
   29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?
   30 See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea.
   31 It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance.
   32 With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target.
   33 His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm's approach.

King James Version

   1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,
   2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.
   3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
   4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
   5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
   6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
   7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
   8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
   9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
   10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
   11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
   12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
   13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
   14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
   15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
   16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
   17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
   18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
   19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
   20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
   21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
   22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
   23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
   24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
   25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
   26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
   27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
   28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
   29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
   30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
   31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
   32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
   33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.