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1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,
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2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.
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3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
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4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
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5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
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6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
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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.
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8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
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9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
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10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
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11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
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12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
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13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
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14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
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15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
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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.
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17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
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18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
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19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
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20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
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21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
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22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
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23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
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24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
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25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
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26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
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27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
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28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
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29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
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30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
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31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
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32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
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33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
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- 1 Then Elihu continued and said,
- 2 “Wait for me a little, and I will show you That there is yet more to be said in God's behalf.
- 3 “I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
- 4 “For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
- 5 “Behold, God is mighty but does not despise any; He is mighty in strength of understanding.
- 6 “He does not keep the wicked alive, But gives justice to the afflicted.
- 7 “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But with kings on the throne He has seated them forever, and they are exalted.
- 8 “And if they are bound in fetters, And are caught in the cords of affliction,
- 9 Then He declares to them their work And their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves.
- 10 “He opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they return from evil.
- 11 “If they hear and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity And their years in pleasures.
- 12 “But if they do not hear, they shall perish by the sword And they will die without knowledge.
- 13 “But the godless in heart lay up anger; They do not cry for help when He binds them.
- 14 “They die in youth, And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes.
- 15 “He delivers the afflicted in their affliction, And opens their ear in time of oppression.
- 16 “Then indeed, He enticed you from the mouth of distress, Instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And that which was set on your table was full of fatness.
- 17 “But you were full of judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.
- 18 “Beware that wrath does not entice you to scoffing; And do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
- 19 “Will your riches keep you from distress, Or all the forces of your strength?
- 20 “Do not long for the night, When people vanish in their place.
- 21 “Be careful, do not turn to evil, For you have preferred this to affliction.
- 22 “Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him?
- 23 “Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, 'You have done wrong'?
- 24 “Remember that you should exalt His work, Of which men have sung.
- 25 “All men have seen it; Man beholds from afar.
- 26 “Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable.
- 27 “For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist,
- 28 Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly.
- 29 “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion?
- 30 “Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea.
- 31 “For by these He judges peoples; He gives food in abundance.
- 32 “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark.
- 33 “Its noise declares His presence; The cattle also, concerning what is coming up.
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