Job 36
36
Elihu Continues
Be Patient a While Longer
1Elihu said:
2Be patient a while longer;
I have something else to say
in God's defense.
3God always does right—
and this knowledge
comes straight from God.#36.3 comes straight from God: The Hebrew text has “comes from a distant place,” which refers to the place where God lives; Elihu is claiming that he learned this from God.
4You can rest assured
that what I say is true.
5Although God is mighty,
he cares about everyone
and makes fair decisions.
6The wicked are cut down,
and those who are wronged
receive justice.
7God watches over good people
and places them in positions
of power and honor forever.
8But when people are prisoners
of suffering and pain,
* 9God points out their sin
and their pride,
10then he warns them
to turn back to him.
11And if they obey,
they will be successful
and happy from then on.
12But if they foolishly refuse,
they will be rewarded
with a violent death.
Godless People Are Too Angry
13Godless people are too angry
to ask God for help
when he punishes them.
14So they die young
in shameful disgrace.
15Hard times and trouble
are God's way
of getting our attention!
16And at this very moment,
God deeply desires
to lead you from trouble
and to spread your table
with your favorite food.
17Now that the judgment
for your sins
has fallen upon you,
18don't let your anger
and the pain you endured
make you sneer at God.
19Your reputation and riches
cannot protect you
from distress,
20nor can you find safety
in the dark world below.#36.20 below: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 18-20.
21Be on guard! Don't turn to evil
as a way of escape.
22God's power is unlimited.
He needs no teachers
23to guide or correct him.
Others Have Praised God
24Others have praised God
for what he has done,
so join with them.
25From down here on earth,
everyone has looked up and seen
26how great God is—
God is more than we imagine;
no one can count the years
he has lived.
* 27God gathers moisture
into the clouds
28and supplies us with rain.
29Who can understand
how God scatters the clouds
and speaks from his home
in the thunderstorm?
30And when God sends lightning,
it can be seen
at the bottom of the sea.#36.30 sea: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 30.
31By producing such rainstorms,
God rules the world
and provides us with food.
32Each flash of lightning
is one of his arrows
striking its target,
33and the thunder tells
of his anger against sin.#36.33 sin: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 33.
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Job 36: CEV
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.