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. |