Reason for continuing
1Continuing, Elihu said,
2Wait a little while so I can demonstrate for you
that there is still something more to say about God.
3I will draw from my broad knowledge,
attribute justice to my maker.
4My words are certainly truthful;
one with total knowledge is present with you.
5Look, God is mighty and doesn’t reject anyone;
he is mighty in strength and mind.
6He doesn’t let the wicked live,
but grants justice to the poor.
7He doesn’t avert his eyes from the righteous;
he seats kings on thrones forever,
and they are lifted up.
8If they are tied with ropes,
caught in cords of affliction,
9he informs them about their offenses
and their grave sins.
10He opens their ears with discipline
and commands them to turn from wrong.
11If they listen and serve,
they spend their days in plenty,
their years contentedly.
12But if they don’t listen,
they perish by the sword,
breathe their last without understanding.
13Those with impious hearts become furious;
they don’t cry out even though he binds them.
14They die young;
they are among the holy ones.
15He saves the weak in their affliction,
opens their ears through oppression.
16Surely he draws you up from the brink of trouble
to a wide place without distress;
your table is set with rich food.
17You are overly concerned about the case of the wicked;
justice will be upheld in it.
18Don’t let them lure you with wealth;
don’t let a huge bribe mislead you.
19Will he arrange your rescue from distress
or from all your exertions of strength?
20Don’t wish for the night
when people vanish from their place.
21Take care; don’t turn to evil
because you’ve chosen it over affliction.
22Look, God is inaccessible due to his power;
who is a teacher like him?
23Who has repaid him for his action,
and who would ever say, "You’ve done wrong"?
24Remember to praise his work
that all of us have seen.
25Every person has seen him;
people can observe at great distance.
God’s control of the storm
26Look, God is exalted and unknowable;
the number of his years is beyond counting.
27He draws up drops of water
that distill rain from his flood;
28the clouds pour moisture
and drip continually on humans.
29Even if one perceives a spreading cloud
and the thunder of his pavilion,#Or canopy
30look how he spreads lightning across it
and covers the seabed;
31for by water#Or them he judges peoples
and gives food in abundance.
32He conceals lightning in his palms
and orders it to its target.
33His thunder announces it;
even cattle proclaim its rising.