Job 36:1-21

Elihu continued and said, “Bear with me a little longer, and I will show you, That there is yet more to say on God’s behalf. “I will bring my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. “For truly my words are not false; He who is perfect in knowledge is with you. “Behold, God is mighty, and yet does not despise anyone [nor regard any as trivial]; He is mighty in the strength and power of understanding. “He does not prolong the life of the wicked, But gives the afflicted their justice. “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous [those in right standing with Him]; But with kings upon the throne He has seated them forever, and they are exalted. “And if they are bound in bonds [of adversity], And held by cords of affliction, [Ps 107:10, 11] Then He declares to them [the true character of] their deeds And their transgressions, that they have acted arrogantly [with presumption and notions of self-sufficiency]. “He opens their ears to instruction and discipline, And commands that they return from evil. “If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasantness and joy. “But if they do not hear and obey, they will die by the sword [of God’s destructive judgments] And they will die [in ignorance] without [true] knowledge. “But the godless in heart store up anger [at the divine discipline]; They do not cry [to Him] for help when He binds them [with cords of affliction]. [Rom 2:5] “They die in youth, And their life ends among the cult prostitutes. [Deut 23:17] “He rescues the afflicted in their affliction, And opens their ears [so that they pay attention to His voice] in times of oppression. “Then indeed, He enticed you from the mouth of distress and confinement, Into a broad place where there is no constraint or distress; And that which was set on your table was full of fatness (rich food). ¶“But you [Job] were full of judgment on the wicked, Judgment and justice take hold of you. “Do not let wrath entice you into scoffing; And do not let the greatness and the extent of the ransom turn you aside. “Will your wealth [be sufficient to] keep you from [the confinement of] distress, Or will all the force of your strength do it? “Do not long for the night, When people vanish from their places. “Take heed and be careful, do not turn to wickedness, For you have chosen this [the vice of complaining against God] rather than [learning from] affliction.