Elihu also proceeded
, and said
,
Suffer me a little
, and I will shew
thee that I have yet to speak
on God's
behalf.
I will fetch my knowledge
from afar
, and will ascribe
righteousness
to my Maker
.
For truly my words
shall not be false
: he that is perfect
in knowledge
is with thee.
Behold, God is mighty
, and despiseth
not any: he is mighty
in strength
and wisdom
.
He preserveth not the life of the wicked
: but giveth
right
to the poor
.
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
.
And if they be bound in fetters
, and be holden
in cords
of affliction
;
Then he sheweth them their work
, and their transgressions
that they have exceeded
.
He openeth also their ear
to discipline
, and commandeth
that they return
from iniquity
.
If they obey and serve
him , they shall spend
their days
in prosperity
, and their years
in pleasures
.
But if they obey not, they shall perish
by the sword
, and they shall die
without knowledge
.
But the hypocrites in heart
heap up
wrath
: they cry
not when he bindeth
them.
They die
in youth
, and their life
is among the unclean
.
He delivereth the poor
in his affliction
, and openeth
their ears
in oppression
.
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
.
But thou hast fulfilled the judgment
of the wicked
: judgment
and justice
take hold
on thee .
Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away
with his stroke
: then a great
ransom
cannot deliver
thee.
Will he esteem thy riches
? no , not gold
, nor all the forces
of strength
.
Desire not the night
, when people
are cut off
in their place.
Take heed, regard
not iniquity
: for this hast thou chosen
rather than affliction
.
Behold, God exalteth
by his power
: who teacheth
like him?
Who hath enjoined him his way
? or who can say
, Thou hast wrought
iniquity
?
Remember that thou magnify
his work
, which men
behold
.
Every man may see
it; man
may behold
it afar off
.
Behold, God is great
, and we know
him not, neither can the number
of his years
be searched out
.
For he maketh small the drops
of water
: they pour down
rain
according to the vapour
thereof:
Which the clouds do drop
and distil
upon man
abundantly
.
Also can any understand the spreadings
of the clouds
, or the noise
of his tabernacle
?
Behold, he spreadeth his light
upon it, and covereth
the bottom
of the sea
.
For by them judgeth he the people
; he giveth
meat
in abundance
.
With clouds he covereth
the light
; and commandeth
it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt
.
The noise thereof sheweth
concerning it, the cattle
also concerning the vapour
.