Job 36

1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.s3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.s6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.s7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.s13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.ss

15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.s16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.s17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.s18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.s19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.s31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.s

Job 36

Those Who Learn from Their Suffering

1-4 Here Elihu took a deep breath, but kept going: "Stay with me a little longer. I'll convince you. There's still more to be said on God's side. I learned all this firsthand from the Source; everything I know about justice I owe to my Maker himself. Trust me, I'm giving you undiluted truth; believe me, I know these things inside and out.
5-15 "It's true that God is all-powerful, but he doesn't bully innocent people. For the wicked, though, it's a different story— he doesn't give them the time of day, but champions the rights of their victims. He never takes his eyes off the righteous; he honors them lavishly, promotes them endlessly. When things go badly, when affliction and suffering descend, God tells them where they've gone wrong, shows them how their pride has caused their trouble. He forces them to heed his warning, tells them they must repent of their bad life. If they obey and serve him, they'll have a good, long life on easy street. But if they disobey, they'll be cut down in their prime and never know the first thing about life. Angry people without God pile grievance upon grievance, always blaming others for their troubles. Living it up in sexual excesses, virility wasted, they die young. But those who learn from their suffering, God delivers from their suffering.

Obsessed with Putting the Blame on God

16-21 "Oh, Job, don't you see how God's wooing you from the jaws of danger? How he's drawing you into wide-open places— inviting you to feast at a table laden with blessings? And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked, obsessed with putting the blame on God! Don't let your great riches mislead you; don't think you can bribe your way out of this. Did you plan to buy your way out of this? Not on your life! And don't think that night, when people sleep off their troubles, will bring you any relief. Above all, don't make things worse with more evil— that's what's behind your suffering as it is!
22-25 "Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him? Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, 'You did that all wrong!'? Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it.

No One Can Escape from God

26 "Take a long, hard look. See how great he is—infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out!
27-33 "He pulls water up out of the sea, distills it, and fills up his rain-cloud cisterns. Then the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone. Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens? How he arranges the clouds, how he speaks in thunder? Just look at that lightning, his sky-filling light show illumining the dark depths of the sea! These are the symbols of his sovereignty, his generosity, his loving care. He hurls arrows of light, taking sure and accurate aim. The High God roars in the thunder, angry against evil."