Job 36

Chapter 36

1 Elihu continued speaking:
2 “Let me go on, and I will show you the truth.
For I have not finished defending God!3 I will present profound arguments
for the righteousness of my Creator.4 I am telling you nothing but the truth,
for I am a man of great knowledge.5 “God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone!
He is mighty in both power and understanding.6 He does not let the wicked live
but gives justice to the afflicted.7 He never takes his eyes off the innocent,
but he sets them on thrones with kings
and exalts them forever.8 If they are bound in chains
and caught up in a web of trouble,9 he shows them the reason.
He shows them their sins of pride.10 He gets their attention
and commands that they turn from evil.11 “If they listen and obey God,
they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives.
All their years will be pleasant.12 But if they refuse to listen to him,
they will be killed by the swordt
and die from lack of understanding.13 For the godless are full of resentment.
Even when he punishes them,
they refuse to cry out to him for help.14 They die when they are young,
after wasting their lives in immoral living.15 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer.
For he gets their attention through adversity.16 “God is leading you away from danger, Job,
to a place free from distress.
He is setting your table with the best food.17 But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged.
Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.18 But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth.t
Don’t let yourself be bribed into sin.19 Could all your wealtht
or all your mighty efforts
keep you from distress?20 Do not long for the cover of night,
for that is when people will be destroyed.t21 Be on guard! Turn back from evil,
for God sent this suffering
to keep you from a life of evil.

Elihu Reminds Job of God’s Power

22 “Look, God is all-powerful.
Who is a teacher like him?23 No one can tell him what to do,
or say to him, ‘You have done wrong.’24 Instead, glorify his mighty works,
singing songs of praise.25 Everyone has seen these things,
though only from a distance.26 “Look, God is greater than we can understand.
His years cannot be counted.27 He draws up the water vapor
and then distills it into rain.28 The rain pours down from the clouds,
and everyone benefits.29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds
and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?30 See how he spreads the lightning around him
and how it lights up the depths of the sea.31 By these mighty acts he nourishest the people,
giving them food in abundance.32 He fills his hands with lightning bolts
and hurls each at its target.33 The thunder announces his presence;
the storm announces his indignant anger.t

JOB 36

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.t

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.t

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.t

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.t