Elihu Continues
Be Patient a While Longer
1 Elihu said:
2 Be patient a while longer;
I have something else to say
in God's defense.
3 God always does right—
and this knowledge
comes straight from God.
4 You can rest assured
that what I say is true.
5 Although God is mighty,
he cares about everyone
and makes fair decisions.
6 The wicked are cut down,
and those who are wronged
receive justice.
7 God watches over good people
and places them in positions
of power and honor forever.
8 But when people are prisoners
of suffering and pain,
* 9 God points out their sin
and their pride,
10 then he warns them
to turn back to him.
11 And if they obey,
they will be successful
and happy from then on.
12 But if they foolishly refuse,
they will be rewarded
with a violent death.
Godless People Are Too Angry
13 Godless people are too angry
to ask God for help
when he punishes them.
14 So they die young
in shameful disgrace.
15 Hard times and trouble
are God's way
of getting our attention!
16 And at this very moment,
God deeply desires
to lead you from trouble
and to spread your table
with your favorite food.
17 Now that the judgment
for your sins
has fallen upon you,
18 don't let your anger
and the pain you endured
make you sneer at God.
19 Your reputation and riches
cannot protect you
from distress,
20 nor can you find safety
in the dark world below.
21 Be on guard! Don't turn to evil
as a way of escape.
22 God's power is unlimited.
He needs no teachers
23 to guide or correct him.
Others Have Praised God
24 Others have praised God
for what he has done,
so join with them.
25 From down here on earth,
everyone has looked up and seen
26 how great God is—
God is more than we imagine;
no one can count the years
he has lived.
* 27 God gathers moisture
into the clouds
28 and supplies us with rain.
29 Who can understand
how God scatters the clouds
and speaks from his home
in the thunderstorm?
30 And when God sends lightning,
it can be seen
at the bottom of the sea.
31 By producing such rainstorms,
God rules the world
and provides us with food.
32 Each flash of lightning
is one of his arrows
striking its target,
33 and the thunder tells
of his anger against sin.
1 Elihu also proceeded and sayde, 2 Suffer me a litle, and I will instruct thee: for I haue yet to speake on Gods behalfe. 3 I will fetche my knowledge afarre off, and will attribute righteousnes vnto my Maker. 4 For truely my wordes shall not be false, and he that is perfect in knowledge, speaketh with thee. 5 Behold, the mighty God casteth away none that is mighty and valiant of courage. 6 He mainteineth not the wicked, but he giueth iudgement to the afflicted. 7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, but they are with Kings in ye throne, where he placeth them for euer: thus they are exalted. 8 And if they bee bound in fetters and tyed with the cordes of affliction, 9 Then will he shewe them their worke and their sinnes, because they haue bene proude. 10 He openeth also their eare to discipline, and commandeth them that they returne from iniquity. 11 If they obey and serue him, they shall end their dayes in prosperity, and their yeres in pleasures. 12 But if they wil not obey, they shall passe by the sworde, and perish without knowledge. 13 But the hypocrites of heart increase the wrath: for they call not when he bindeth them. 14 Their soule dyeth in youth, and their life among the whoremongers. 15 He deliuereth the poore in his affliction, and openeth their eare in trouble. 16 Euen so woulde he haue taken thee out of the streight place into a broade place and not shut vp beneath: and that which resteth vpon thy table, had bene full of fat. 17 But thou art ful of the iudgement of the wicked, though iudgement and equitie maintaine all things. 18 For Gods wrath is, least hee should take that away in thine abundance: for no multitude of giftes can deliuer thee. 19 Wil he regard thy riches? he regardeth not golde, nor all them that excel in strength. 20 Be not carefull in the night, howe he destroyeth the people out of their place. 21 Take thou heede: looke not to iniquitie: for thou hast chosen it rather then affliction. 22 Beholde, God exalteth by his power: what teacher is like him? 23 Who hath appointed to him his way? or who can say, Thou hast done wickedly? 24 Remember that thou magnifie his worke, which men behold. 25 All men see it, and men beholde it afarre off. 26 Beholde, God is excellent, and we knowe him not, neither can the nomber of his yeres bee searched out. 27 When he restraineth the droppes of water, the rayne powreth down by the vapour thereof, 28 Which raine the cloudes do droppe and let fall abundantly vpon man. 29 Who can know the diuisions of ye clouds and the thunders of his tabernacle? 30 Beholde, he spreadeth his light vpon it, and couereth the bottome of the sea. 31 For thereby hee iudgeth the people, and giueth meate abundantly. 32 He couereth the light with the clouds, and commandeth them to go against it. 33 His companion sheweth him thereof, and there is anger in rising vp.