Elihu Shows God's Justice and Power

1Elihu also proceeded, and said,

2Suffer me a little, and I will show you that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.

3I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

4For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with you.

5Behold, God is mighty, and despises not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.

6He preserves not the life of the wicked: but gives right to the poor.

7He withdraws not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yes, he does establish them for ever, and they are exalted.

8And if they be bound in fetters, and be held in cords of affliction;

9Then he shows them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

10He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity.

11If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

12But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

13But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he binds them.

14They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.

15He delivers the poor in his affliction, and opens their ears in oppression.

16Even so would he have removed you out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no narrow place; and that which should be set on your table should be full of fatness.

17But you have fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on you.

18Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver you.

19Will he esteem your riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.

20Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.

21Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this have you chosen rather than affliction.

22Behold, God exalts by his power: who teaches like him?

23Who has enjoined him his way? or who can say, You have worked iniquity?

24Remember that you magnify his work, which men behold.

25Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.

26Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

27For he makes small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapor thereof:

28Which the clouds do drop and distil on man abundantly.

29Also can any understand the spreading of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

30Behold, he spreads his light on it, and covers the bottom of the sea.

31For by them judges he the people; he gives meat in abundance.

32With clouds he covers the light; and commands it not to shine by the cloud that comes between.

33The noise thereof shows concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapor.