¹ Elihu also proceeded, and said,

^{2 Ref} Suffer me a little, and I will show thee; For I have yet somewhat to say on God's behalf.

^{3 Ref} I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

^{4 Ref} For truly my words are not false: One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

^{5 Ref} Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.

^{6 Ref} He preserveth not the life of the wicked, But giveth to the afflicted `their' right.

^{7 Ref} He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.

^{8 Ref} And if they be bound in fetters, And be taken in the cords of afflictions;

^{9 Ref} Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

^{10 Ref} He openeth also their ear to instruction, And commandeth that they return from iniquity.

^{11 Ref} If they hearken and serve `him', They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

^{12 Ref} But if they hearken not, they shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.

^{13 Ref} But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them.

^{14 Ref} They die in youth, And their life `perisheth' among the unclean.

^{15 Ref} He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction, And openeth their ear in oppression.

^{16 Ref} Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness.

^{17 Ref} But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold `on thee'.

^{18 Ref} For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.

^{19 Ref} Will thy cry avail, `that thou be' not in distress, Or all the forces of `thy' strength?

^{20 Ref} Desire not the night, When peoples are cut off in their place.

^{21 Ref} Take heed, regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

^{22 Ref} Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him?

^{23 Ref} Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

^{24 Ref} Remember that thou magnify his work, Whereof men have sung.

²⁵ All men have looked thereon; Man beholdeth it afar off.

^{26 Ref} Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable.

^{27 Ref} For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapor,

^{28 Ref} Which the skies pour down And drop upon man abundantly.

^{29 Ref} Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, The thunderings of his pavilion?

^{30 Ref} Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea.

^{31 Ref} For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth food in abundance.

^{32 Ref} He covereth his hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark.

^{33 Ref} The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning `the storm' that cometh up.