Elihu’s Fourth Speech27

36:1 Elihu said further:1

36:2 “Be patient2 with me a little longer

and I will instruct you,

for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.3

36:3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively,4

and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.5

36:4 For in truth, my words are not false;

it is one complete6 in knowledge

who is with you.

36:5 Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people,7

he8 is mighty, and firm9 in his intent.10

36:6 He does not allow the wicked to live,11

but he gives justice to the poor.

36:7 He does not take his eyes12 off the righteous;

but with kings on the throne

he seats the righteous13 and exalts them forever.14

36:8 But if they are bound in chains,15

and held captive by the cords of affliction,

36:9 then he reveals16 to them what they have done,17

and their transgressions,

that they were behaving proudly.

36:10 And he reveals18 this19 for correction,

and says that they must turn20 from evil.

36:11 If they obey and serve him,

they live out their days in prosperity

and their years in pleasantness.21

36:12 But if they refuse to listen,

they pass over the river of death,22

and expire without knowledge.

36:13 The godless at heart23 nourish anger,24

they do not cry out even when he binds them.

36:14 They die25 in their youth,

and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.26

36:15 He delivers the afflicted by27 their28 afflictions,

he reveals himself to them29 by their suffering.

36:16 And surely, he drew you30 from the mouth of distress,

to a wide place, unrestricted,31

and to the comfort32 of your table

filled with rich food.33

36:17 But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked,

judgment and justice take hold of you.

36:18 Be careful that34 no one entices you with riches;

do not let a large bribe35 turn you aside.

36:19 Would your wealth36 sustain you,

so that you would not be in distress,37

even all your mighty efforts?38

36:20 Do not long for the cover of night

to drag people away from their homes.39

36:21 Take heed, do not turn to evil,

for because of this you have been tested40 by affliction.

36:22 Indeed, God is exalted in his power;

who is a teacher41 like him?

36:23 Who has prescribed his ways for him?

Or said to him, ‘You have done what is wicked’?

36:24 Remember to extol42 his work,

which people have praised in song.

36:25 All humanity has seen it;

people gaze on it from afar.