New International Version | New International Version |
1Elihu continued: | 1Elihu continued: |
2"Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's behalf. | 2"Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's behalf. |
3I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker. | 3I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker. |
4Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you. | 4Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you. |
5"God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose. | 5"God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose. |
6He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights. | 6He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights. |
7He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. | 7He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. |
8But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, | 8But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, |
9he tells them what they have done-- that they have sinned arrogantly. | 9he tells them what they have done-- that they have sinned arrogantly. |
10He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. | 10He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. |
11If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. | 11If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. |
12But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge. | 12But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge. |
13"The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help. | 13"The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help. |
14They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines. | 14They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines. |
15But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. | 15But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. |
16"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. | 16"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. |
17But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. | 17But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. |
18Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. | 18Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. |
19Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress? | 19Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress? |
20Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. | 20Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. |
21Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction. | 21Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction. |
22"God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? | 22"God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? |
23Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'? | 23Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'? |
24Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. | 24Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. |
25All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar. | 25All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar. |
26How great is God--beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. | 26How great is God--beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. |
27"He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; | 27"He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; |
28the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. | 28the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. |
29Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? | 29Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? |
30See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. | 30See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. |
31This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance. | 31This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance. |
32He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. | 32He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. |
33His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach. | 33His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach. |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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