Job 36:1-23
King James Version
36 Elihu also proceeded, and said,
2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
16 Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
Read full chapter
Job 36:1-23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Elihu Exalts God’s Goodness
36 Elihu continued and said:
2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you,
for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.
3 I will bring my knowledge from far away
and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.(A)
4 For truly my words are not false;
one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.(B)
5 “Surely God is mighty and does not despise any;
he is mighty in strength of understanding.(C)
6 He does not keep the wicked alive
but gives the afflicted their right.(D)
7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
but with kings on the throne
he sets them forever, and they are exalted.(E)
8 And if they are bound in fetters
and caught in the cords of affliction,
9 then he declares to them their work
and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.(F)
10 He opens their ears to instruction
and commands that they return from iniquity.(G)
11 If they listen and serve him,
they complete their days in prosperity
and their years in pleasantness.(H)
12 But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword
and die without knowledge.(I)
13 “The godless in heart cherish anger;
they do not cry for help when he binds them.(J)
14 They die in their youth,
and their life ends in shame.[a](K)
15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction
and opens their ear by adversity.(L)
16 He also allured you out of distress
into a broad place where there was no constraint,
and what was set on your table was full of fatness.(M)
17 “But you are obsessed with the case of the wicked;
judgment and justice seize you.
18 Beware that wrath does not entice you into scoffing,
and do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.(N)
19 Will your cry avail to keep you from distress,
or will all the force of your strength?
20 Do not long for the night,
when peoples are cut off in their place.(O)
21 Beware! Do not turn to iniquity;
because of that you have been tried by affliction.(P)
22 See, God is exalted in his power;
who is a teacher like him?
23 Who has prescribed for him his way,
or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?(Q)
Footnotes
- 36.14 Heb ends among the prostitutes
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.