1Elihu also proceeded , and said, 2Suffer me a little , and I will show thee; For I have yet somewhat to say on God’s behalf. 3I will fetch my knowledge from afar , And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker . 4For truly my words are not false : One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
God's Greatness and Justice
5Behold , God is mighty , and despiseth not any : He is mighty in strength of understanding . 6He preserveth not the life of the wicked , But giveth to the afflicted their right . 7He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous : But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever , and they are exalted . 8And if they be bound in fetters , And be taken in the cords of affliction ; 9Then he showeth them their work , And their transgressions , that they have behaved themselves proudly. 10He openeth also their ear to instruction , And commandeth that they return from iniquity.
God's Discipline and Purpose
11If they hearken and serve him , They shall spend their days in prosperity , And their years in pleasures . 12But if they hearken not , they shall perish by the sword , And they shall die without knowledge . 13But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them . 14They die in youth , And their life perisheth among the unclean . 15He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction , And openeth their ear in oppression .
The Call to Repentance
16Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place , where there is no straitness ; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness . 17But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked : Judgment and justice take hold on thee . 18For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside . 19Will thy cry avail, that thou be not in distress, Or all the forces of thy strength ? 20Desire not the night , When peoples are cut off in their place . 21Take heed , regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction .
The Majesty of God in Creation
22Behold , God doeth loftily in his power : Who is a teacher like unto him ? 23Who hath enjoined him his way ? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness ? 24Remember that thou magnify his work , Whereof men have sung . 25All men have looked thereon; Man beholdeth it afar off . 26Behold , God is great , and we know him not ; The number of his years is unsearchable . 27For he draweth up the drops of water , Which distil in rain from his vapor, 28Which the skies pour down And drop upon man abundantly . 29Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds , The thunderings of his pavilion ? 30Behold , he spreadeth his light around him ; And he covereth the bottom of the sea . 31For by these he judgeth the peoples ; He giveth food in abundance . 32He covereth his hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark . 33The noise thereof telleth concerning him , The cattle also concerning the storm that cometh up .