Job 36

Elihu continues, declaring that God is mighty and does not despise any. He argues that God uses suffering to open the ears of the righteous and deliver them from affliction, and warns Job not to turn to iniquity. He then begins to exalt God's greatness in the storm.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Elihu also proceeded, and said,	Elihu also proceeded and said:
2	Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.	"Allow me a little, and I will show you that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.
3	I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.	I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4	For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.	For truly my words shall not be false; he that is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5	Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.	See, God is mighty, and does not despise any; He is mighty in strength and wisdom.
6	He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.	He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives right to the poor.
7	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.	He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous; but with kings are they on the throne; yes, he does establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
8	And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;	And if they be bound in fetters, and be held in cords of affliction,
9	Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.	then he shows them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10	He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.	He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity.
11	If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.	If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12	But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.	But if they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
13	But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.	But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath; they do not cry when he binds them.
14	They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.	They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
15	He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.	He delivers the poor in his affliction, and opens their ears in oppression.
16	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.	Even so would he have removed you out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on your table should be full of fatness.
17	But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.	But you have fulfilled the judgment of the wicked; judgment and justice take hold on you.
18	Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.	Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with his stroke; then a great ransom cannot deliver you.
19	Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.	Will he esteem your riches? No, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
20	Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.	Do not desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21	Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.	Take heed, regard not iniquity; for this you have chosen rather than affliction.
22	Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?	See, God exalts by His power; who teaches like Him?
23	Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?	Who has enjoined him his way? Or who can say, 'You have wrought iniquity'?
24	Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.	Remember that you magnify his work, which men behold.
25	Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.	Every man may see it; man may behold it from afar.
26	Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.	See, God is great, and we do not know Him, neither can the number of His years be searched out.
27	For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:	For he makes small the drops of water; they pour down rain according to the vapour of it,
28	Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.	which the clouds drop and distil on man abundantly.
29	Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?	Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
30	Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.	See, he spreads his light on it, and covers the bottom of the sea.
31	For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.	For by them he judges the people; he gives meat in abundance.
32	With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.	With clouds he covers the light; and commands it not to shine by the cloud that comes between.
33	The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.	The noise of it shows concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.