Elihu proclaims God's goodness
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“Bear with me a little longer, and I will show you that there is more to be said on God’s behalf.
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I get my knowledge from afar, and I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
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For truly my words are free of falsehood; one perfect in knowledge is with you.
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Indeed, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.
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He does not keep the wicked alive, but He grants justice to the afflicted.
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He does not take His eyes off the righteous, but He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.
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And if men are bound with chains, caught in cords of affliction,
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then He tells them their deeds and how arrogantly they have transgressed.
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He opens their ears to correction and commands that they turn from iniquity.
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If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.
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But if they do not obey, then they perish by the sword (a) and die without knowledge.
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The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when He binds them, they do not cry for help.
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They die in their youth, among the male shrine prostitutes.
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God rescues the afflicted by their affliction (b) and opens their ears in oppression.
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Indeed, He drew you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and broad place, to a table full of richness.
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But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have seized you.
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Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large bribe lead you astray.
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Can your wealth (c) or all your mighty effort keep you from distress?
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Do not long for the night, when people vanish from their homes.
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Be careful not to turn to iniquity, for this you have preferred to affliction.
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Behold, God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him?
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Who has appointed His way for Him, or told Him, ‘You have done wrong’?
Elihu proclaims God's majesty
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Remember to magnify His work, which men have praised in song.
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All mankind has seen it; men behold it from afar.
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Indeed, God is great—beyond our knowledge; the number of His years is unsearchable.
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For He draws up drops of water which distill the rain from the mist,
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which the clouds pour out and shower abundantly on mankind.
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Furthermore, who can understand how the clouds spread out, how the thunder roars from His pavilion?
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See how He scatters His lightning around Him and covers the depths of the sea.
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For by these He judges (d) the nations and provides food in abundance.
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He fills His hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.
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The thunder declares His presence; even the cattle regard the rising storm.
Footnotes