1Elihu also continued and said,
2“Be patient with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God’s behalf.”
3I will speak from what I know, and I will give credit to my Maker for his fairness.
4My words are absolutely true. Someone with perfect knowledge is telling you this.
5Look, God is powerful, and he doesn’t look down on anyone. He is incredibly wise and strong.
6He doesn't keep evil people alive, but he gives justice to those who suffer.
7He always watches over good people. He places them with kings on thrones forever, and they are honored.
8If good people are chained and caught in trouble,
9he shows them their actions and their sins, because they acted arrogantly.
10He also makes them willing to listen to correction and commands them to turn away from wrongdoing.
11If they listen and serve him, they will live out their days in success and enjoy their years.
12But if they don’t listen, they will die by the sword; they will die without understanding.
13But those who are godless in their hearts hold onto anger. They don’t ask for help when God punishes them.
14They die young. Their lives end among those who are impure.
15God rescues those who suffer through their suffering, and he makes them willing to listen when they are oppressed.
16Yes, he would have led you out of trouble, into a spacious place without limits. Your table would have been filled with the best food.
17But you are concerned with the judgment of evil people. Judgment and justice will catch up to you.
18Don’t let wealth tempt you to anger, and don’t let the size of a bribe turn you away.
19Would your wealth help you in trouble, or all your strength?
20Don’t wish for the night, when people are suddenly removed from their lives.
21Be careful not to choose wrongdoing; because you have chosen this over suffering.
22Look, God is great in his power. Is there anyone who can teach like him?
23Who has told him what to do? Or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?
24Remember to praise his work, which people have sung about.
25Everyone has seen it. People see it from far away.
26Look, God is great, and we don’t fully know him. No one can count his years.
27For he draws up water vapor, which then condenses into rain from his clouds.
28Which the skies pour down and which drop on humankind in abundance.
29Yes, can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunder from God's dwelling place?
30Look, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
31For by these he judges people. He provides food in abundance.
32He covers his hands with lightning, and commands it to strike the target.
33Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also speak of the coming storm.