God's New Bible

The Book of Job

Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 36 -

Elihu proclaims God's goodness

1
Elihu also proceeded and sayde,
2
Suffer me a litle, and I will instruct thee: for I haue yet to speake on Gods behalfe.
3
I will fetche my knowledge afarre off, and will attribute righteousnes vnto my Maker.
4
For truely my wordes shall not be false, and he that is perfect in knowledge, speaketh with thee.
5
Behold, the mighty God casteth away none that is mighty and valiant of courage.
6
He mainteineth not the wicked, but he giueth iudgement to the afflicted.
7
He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, but they are with Kings in ye throne, where he placeth them for euer: thus they are exalted.
8
And if they bee bound in fetters and tyed with the cordes of affliction,
9
Then will he shewe them their worke and their sinnes, because they haue bene proude.
10
He openeth also their eare to discipline, and commandeth them that they returne from iniquity.
11
If they obey and serue him, they shall end their dayes in prosperity, and their yeres in pleasures.
12
But if they wil not obey, they shall passe by the sworde, and perish without knowledge.
13
But the hypocrites of heart increase the wrath: for they call not when he bindeth them.
14
Their soule dyeth in youth, and their life among the whoremongers.
15
He deliuereth the poore in his affliction, and openeth their eare in trouble.
16
Euen so woulde he haue taken thee out of the streight place into a broade place and not shut vp beneath: and that which resteth vpon thy table, had bene full of fat.
17
But thou art ful of the iudgement of the wicked, though iudgement and equitie maintaine all things.
18
For Gods wrath is, least hee should take that away in thine abundance: for no multitude of giftes can deliuer thee.
19
Wil he regard thy riches? he regardeth not golde, nor all them that excel in strength.
20
Be not carefull in the night, howe he destroyeth the people out of their place.
21
Take thou heede: looke not to iniquitie: for thou hast chosen it rather then affliction.
22
Beholde, God exalteth by his power: what teacher is like him?
23
Who hath appointed to him his way? or who can say, Thou hast done wickedly?

Elihu proclaims God's majesty

24
Remember that thou magnifie his worke, which men behold.
25
All men see it, and men beholde it afarre off.
26
Beholde, God is excellent, and we knowe him not, neither can the nomber of his yeres bee searched out.
27
When he restraineth the droppes of water, the rayne powreth down by the vapour thereof,
28
Which raine the cloudes do droppe and let fall abundantly vpon man.
29
Who can know the diuisions of ye clouds and the thunders of his tabernacle?
30
Beholde, he spreadeth his light vpon it, and couereth the bottome of the sea.
31
For thereby hee iudgeth the people, and giueth meate abundantly.
32
He couereth the light with the clouds, and commandeth them to go against it.
33
His companion sheweth him thereof, and there is anger in rising vp.

Elihu proclaims God's goodness

1
Elihu also continued, and said,
2
“Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God’s behalf.
3
I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4
For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5
Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6
He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the afflicted.
7
He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8
If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
9
then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10
He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.
11
If they listen and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12
But if they don’t listen, they will perish by the sword; they will die without knowledge.
13
But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don’t cry for help when he binds them.
14
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
15
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.
16
Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a wide place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.
17
But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18
Don’t let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
19
Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?
20
Don’t desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21
Take heed, don’t regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22
Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
23
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness’?

Elihu proclaims God's majesty

24
Remember that you magnify his work, about which men have sung.
25
All men have looked on it. Man sees it afar off.
26
Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
27
For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,
28
which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.
29
Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunderings of his pavilion?
30
Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
31
For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
32
He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.
33
Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also, concerning the storm that comes up.