Elihu’s Fourth Speech

1Elihu said further:

2“Be patient with me a little longer

and I will instruct you,

for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.

3With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively,

and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.

4For in truth, my words are not false;

it is one complete in knowledge

who is with you.

5Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people,

he is mighty, and firm in his intent.

6He does not allow the wicked to live,

but he gives justice to the poor.

7He does not take his eyes off the righteous;

but with kings on the throne

he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.

8But if they are bound in chains,

and held captive by the cords of affliction,

9then he reveals to them what they have done,

and their transgressions,

that they were behaving proudly.

10And he reveals this for correction,

and says that they must turn from evil.

11If they obey and serve him,

they live out their days in prosperity

and their years in pleasantness.

12But if they refuse to listen,

they pass over the river of death,

and expire without knowledge.

13The godless at heart nourish anger,

they do not cry out even when he binds them.

14They die in their youth,

and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.

15He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions,

he reveals himself to them by their suffering.

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 preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked,

judgment and justice take hold of you.

18Be careful that no one entices you with riches;

do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

19Would your wealth sustain you,

so that you would not be in distress,

even all your mighty efforts?

20Do not long for the cover of night

to drag people away from their homes.

21Take heed, do not turn to evil,

for because of this you have been tested by affliction.

22Indeed, 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 what is wicked’?

24Remember to extol his work,

which people have praised in song.

25All humanity has seen it;

people gaze on it from afar.

The Work and Wisdom of God

26“Yes, God is great – beyond our knowledge!

The number of his years is unsearchable.

27He draws up drops of water;

they distill the rain into its mist,

28which the clouds pour down

and shower on humankind abundantly.

29Who can understand the spreading of the clouds,

the thunderings of his pavilion?

30See how he scattered his lightning about him;

he has covered the depths of the sea.

31It is by these that he judges the nations

and supplies food in abundance.

32With his hands he covers the lightning,

and directs it against its target.

33His thunder announces the coming storm,

the cattle also, concerning the storm’s approach.