Study Desk

Then Elihu continued, saying:

Be patient with me a little longer, and I will inform you, for there is still more to be said on God's behalf.

I will get my knowledge from a distant place and ascribe justice to my Maker.

For my arguments are without flaw;^[a] one who has perfect knowledge is with you.

Yes, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He understands all things.^[b](a)

He does not keep the wicked alive,^(b) but He gives justice to the afflicted.

He does not remove His gaze from the righteous, but He seats them forever with enthroned kings, and they are exalted.

If people are bound with chains and trapped by the cords of affliction,

God tells them what they have done and how arrogantly they have transgressed.

He opens their ears^(c) to correction and insists they repent from iniquity.

If they serve Him obediently, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.^(d)

But if they do not obey, they will cross the river of death^[c] and die without knowledge.^(e)

Those who have a godless heart harbor anger; even when God binds them, they do not cry for help.

They die in their youth; their life ends among male cult prostitutes.^(f)

God rescues the afflicted by their affliction; He instructs them by their torment.

Indeed, He lured you from the jaws^[d] of distress to a spacious and unconfined place. Your table was spread with choice food.

Yet now you are obsessed with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have seized you.

Be careful that no one lures you with riches;^[e] do not let a large ransom^[f] lead you astray.^(g)

Can your wealth^[g] or all your physical exertion keep you from distress?^(h)

Do not long for the night when nations will disappear from their places.

Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity, for that is why you have been tested by^[h] affliction.

Look, God shows Himself exalted by His power. Who is a teacher like Him?

Who has appointed His way for Him, and who has declared, "You have done wrong"?⁽ⁱ⁾

Remember that you should praise His work, which people have sung about.^(j)

All mankind has seen it; people have looked at it from a distance.^(k)

Yes, God is exalted beyond our knowledge;^(l) the number of His years cannot be counted.^(m)

For He makes waterdrops evaporate;^[i] they distill the rain into its^[j] mist,⁽ⁿ⁾

which the clouds pour out and shower abundantly on mankind.

Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out or how the thunder roars from God's pavilion?^(o)

See how He spreads His lightning^(p) around Him and covers the depths of the sea.

For He judges the nations with these; He gives food in abundance.^(q)

He covers His hands with lightning and commands it to hit its mark.

The^[k] thunder declares His presence;^[l] the cattle also, the approaching storm.