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