1 Elihu also continued, and said,

2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you;
for I still have something to say on
God’s behalf.

3 I will get my knowledge from afar,
and 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, and doesn’t despise anyone.
He is mighty in strength of understanding.

6 He doesn’t preserve the life ofthe wicked,
but gives justice to the afflicted.

7 He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the
righteous, but with kings on the throne,
he sets them forever, and they are
exalted.

8 If they are bound in fetters,
and are taken in the cords of afflictions,

9 then he shows them their work,
and their transgressions, that they
have behaved themselves proudly.

10 He also opens their ears to instruction,
and commands that they return from
iniquity.

11 If they listen and serve him,
they will spend their days in prosperity,
and their years in pleasures.

12 But if they don’t listen, they will perish
by the sword; they will die without knowledge.

13 “But those who are godless in heart lay
up anger. They don’t cry for help when he binds
them.

14 They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.

15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction,
and opens their ear in oppression.

16 Yes, he would have allured you out of
distress, into a wide place, where there is no
restriction. That which is set on your table would
be full of fatness.

17 “But you are full of the judgment of the
wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.