| Chapter 36 |
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Elihu also continued, and said, --
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2 |
'Bear with me a little, and I will show you; For I still have something to say on God's behalf. --
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3 |
I will get my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. --
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For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you. --
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'Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding. --
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He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, But gives to the afflicted their right. --
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He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, But with kings on the throne, He sets them forever, and they are exalted. --
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8 |
If they are bound in fetters, And are taken in the cords of afflictions, --
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Then he shows them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. --
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10 |
He also opens their ears to instruction, And commands that they return from iniquity. --
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11 |
If they listen and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. --
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12 |
But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; They shall die without knowledge. --
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13 |
'But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them. --
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14 |
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean. --
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15 |
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, And opens their ear in oppression. --
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16 |
Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, Into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness. --
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17 |
'But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you. --
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18 |
Don't let riches entice you to wrath, Neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside. --
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Would your wealth sustain you in distress, Or all the might of your strength? --
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20 |
Don't desire the night, When people are cut off in their place. --
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21 |
Take heed, don't regard iniquity; For this you have chosen rather than affliction. --
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22 |
Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? --
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Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?' --
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24 |
'Remember that you magnify his work, Whereof men have sung. --
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25 |
All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off. --
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26 |
Behold, God is great, and we don't know him. The number of his years is unsearchable. --
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27 |
For he draws up the drops of water, Which distill in rain from his vapor, --
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28 |
Which the skies pour down And drop on man abundantly. --
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29 |
Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, And the thunderings of his pavilion? --
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30 |
Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea. --
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31 |
For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance. --
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32 |
He covers his hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. --
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33 |
The noise of it tells about him, And the cattle also concerning the storm that comes up. --
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