¹ Elihu also continued, and said,

^{2 Ref} "Bear with me a little, and I will show you; For I still have something to say on God's behalf.

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

^{4 Ref} For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

^{5 Ref} "Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.

^{6 Ref} He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, But gives to the afflicted their right.

^{7 Ref} He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, But with kings on the throne, He sets them forever, and they are exalted.

^{8 Ref} If they are bound in fetters, And are taken in the cords of afflictions,

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

^{10 Ref} He also opens their ears to instruction, And commands that they return from iniquity.

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

^{12 Ref} But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; They shall die without knowledge.

^{13 Ref} "But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them.

^{14 Ref} They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.

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

^{16 Ref} Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, Into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.

^{17 Ref} "But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.

^{18 Ref} Don't let riches entice you to wrath, Neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.

^{19 Ref} Would your wealth sustain you in distress, Or all the might of your strength?

^{20 Ref} Don't desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.

^{21 Ref} Take heed, don't regard iniquity; For this you have chosen rather than affliction.

^{22 Ref} Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?

^{23 Ref} Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'

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

²⁵ All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off.

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

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

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

^{29 Ref} Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, And the thunderings of his pavilion?

^{30 Ref} Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.

^{31 Ref} For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.

^{32 Ref} He covers his hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark.

^{33 Ref} The noise of it tells about him, And the cattle also concerning the storm that comes up.