Chapter 36

  Elihu also continued, and said,  

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  'Bear with me a little, and I will show you; For I still have something to say on God's behalf.  

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  I will get my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.  

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  For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.  

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  'Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.  

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  He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, But gives to the afflicted their right.  

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  He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, But with kings on the throne, He sets them forever, and they are exalted.  

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  If they are bound in fetters, And are taken in the cords of afflictions,  

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  Then he shows them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.  

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  He also opens their ears to instruction, And commands that they return from iniquity.  

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  If they listen and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.  

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  But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; They shall die without knowledge.  

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  'But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them.  

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  They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.  

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  He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, And opens their ear in oppression.  

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  Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, Into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.  

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  'But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.  

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  Don't let riches entice you to wrath, Neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.  

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  Would your wealth sustain you in distress, Or all the might of your strength?  

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  Don't desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.  

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  Take heed, don't regard iniquity; For this you have chosen rather than affliction.  

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  Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?  

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  Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'  

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  'Remember that you magnify his work, Whereof men have sung.  

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  All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off.  

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  Behold, God is great, and we don't know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.  

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  For he draws up the drops of water, Which distill in rain from his vapor,  

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  Which the skies pour down And drop on man abundantly.  

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  Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, And the thunderings of his pavilion?  

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  Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.  

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  For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.  

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  He covers his hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark.  

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  The noise of it tells about him, And the cattle also concerning the storm that comes up.  

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