International Standard Version | NET Bible |
1Elihu responded again and said: | 1Elihu said further: |
2"Be patient with me a moment longer, and I'll show you that there's more to say on God's behalf. | 2"Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God's behalf. |
3I'll take what I know to its logical conclusion and ascribe righteousness to my Creator, | 3With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness. |
4because what I have to say isn't deceptive, and the one who has perfect knowledge is with you." | 4For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you. |
5"Indeed God is mighty and he doesn't show disrespect; he is mighty and strong of heart. | 5Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent. |
6He doesn't let the wicked live; he grants justice to the afflicted. | 6He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor. |
7He won't stop looking at righteous people; he seats them on thrones with kings forever, and they are exalted. | 7He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever. |
8"If they're bound in chains, caught in ropes of affliction, | 8But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction, |
9he'll reveal their actions to them, when their transgressions have become excessive. | 9then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly. |
10He opens their ears and instructs them, commanding them to repent from evil. | 10And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil. |
11If they listen and serve him, they'll finish their lives in prosperity and their years will be pleasant. | 11If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness. |
12"But if they won't listen, they'll perish by the sword and die in their ignorance. | 12But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge. |
13The godless at heart cherish anger; they won't cry out for help when God afflicts them. | 13The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them. |
14They die in their youth; and their life will end among temple prostitutes. | 14They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes. |
15He'll deliver the afflicted through their afflictions and open their ears when they are oppressed." | 15He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering. |
16"Indeed, he drew you away from the brink of distress to a spacious place without constraints, filling your festive table with bountiful food. | 16And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress, to a wide place, unrestricted, and to the comfort of your table filled with rich food. |
17But now you are occupied with the case of the wicked; but justice and judgment will be served. | 17But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you. |
18So that no one entices you with riches, don't let a large ransom turn you astray. | 18Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. |
19"Will your wealth sustain you when you're in distress, despite your most powerful efforts? | 19Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts? |
20Don't long for night, when people vanish in their place. | 20Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes. |
21Be careful! Don't turn to evil, because of this you will be tried by more than affliction. | 21Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction. |
22"Indeed, God is exalted in his power. Who is like him as a teacher? | 22Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? |
23Who ordained his path for him, and who has asked him, 'You are wrong, aren't you?' | 23Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, 'You have done what is wicked'? |
24Remember to magnify his awesome activities, about which mortal man has sung. | 24Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. |
25All of mankind sees him; human beings observe him from afar off." | 25All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar. |
26"God is truly awesome, beyond what we know; the number of his years is unknowable. | 26"Yes, God is great--beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable. |
27He draws up drops of water, distilling it to rain and mist. | 27He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist, |
28When the clouds pour down; they drop their rain on all of humanity. | 28which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly. |
29"Furthermore, can anyone understand cloud patterns, or the thundering in his pavilion? | 29Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? |
30He scatters his lightning above it, and covers the bottom of the sea. | 30See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea. |
31He uses them to judge some people and give food to many. | 31It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance. |
32His hands are covered with lightning that he commands to strike his designated target. | 32With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target. |
33His thunder declares his presence; and tells the animals what is coming." | 33His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm's approach. |
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