36:1 Elihu said further,¹

36:2 Be patient² with me a little longer
and I will instruct you,
for I still have words to speak for God.³
36:3 I will carry up my knowledge into the distance,⁴
and to my Maker I will ascribe righteousness.⁵
36:4 For in truth, my words are not false;
it is one complete⁶ in knowledge
who is with you.
36:5 Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise men,⁷
he⁸ is mighty, firm⁹ in his intent.¹⁰
36:6 He does not allow the wicked to live,¹¹
but he gives justice to the poor.
36:7 He does not take his eyes¹² off the righteous;
but with kings on the throne
he seats them and exalts them forever.¹³
36:8 But if they are bound in chains,¹⁴
and held captive by the cords of affliction,
36:9 then he reveals¹⁵ to them their work,
and their transgressions,
that they were dealing proudly.
36:10 and he reveals¹⁶ this¹⁷ for correction,
and he says that they must turn¹⁸ from evil.
36:11 If they obey and serve him,
they complete their days in prosperity
and their years in pleasantness.¹⁹
36:12 But if they do not listen
they pass over the river of death,²⁰
and they expire without knowledge.
36:13 The godless at heart²¹ nourish anger,²²
they do not cry out even when he binds them.
36:14 They die²³ in their youth,
and their life ends in shame.²⁴
36:15 He delivers the afflicted by²⁵ his afflictions,
he reveals himself to them²⁶ by oppression.
36:16 And surely, he drew you²⁷ from the mouth of distress,
to a wide place, unrestricted,²⁸
and to the comfort²⁹ of your table
filled with rich food.³⁰
36:17 But now you are filled with the judgment due the wicked,
judgment and justice take hold of you.
36:18 Be careful that³¹ no one entices you with riches;
do not let a large bribe³² turn you aside.
36:19 Would your wealth sustain you,
so that you would not be in distress,³³
even all your mighty efforts.³⁴
36:20 Do not long for the night
to draw people away from their homes.³⁵
36:21 Take heed, do not turn to evil,
for because of this you have been tested
for affliction.
36:22 Indeed, God is exalted in his power
Who is a teacher³⁶ like him?
36:23 Who has prescribed his ways for him?
or said to him, “You have done wickedness.”
36:24 Remember to extol³⁷ his work
which men have praised in song.
36:25 All mankind has seen it;
men gaze on it from afar.

36:26 Yes, God is great—beyond our knowledge!³⁸
The number of his years is unsearchable.
36:27 He draws up drops of water,
they distill³⁹ the rain into its mist;⁴⁰
36:28 which the clouds pour down,
and they shower upon man abundantly.
36:29 Who can understand the spreadings of the clouds,
the thunderings of his pavilion?⁴¹
36:30 See how he scattered⁴² his lightning⁴³ about him;
he has covered the roots⁴⁴ of the sea.
36:31 It is by them that he judges⁴⁵ the nations
and gives food in abundance.
36:32 With his hands⁴⁶ he covers⁴⁷ the lightning,
and directs it against its target.
36:33⁴⁸ His thunder announces the coming storm,
the cattle also concerning its coming up.