Job 36

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,	1 Elihu proceeded further and said:
2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.	2 Wait yet a little and I will instruct you, for there are still words to be said on God's behalf.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.	3 I will bring my knowledge from afar, and to my Maker I will accord the right.
4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.	4 For indeed, my theme cannot fail me: the one perfect in knowledge I set before you.
5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.	5 Behold, God rejects the obstinate in heart; he preserves not the life of the wicked.
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.	6 He withholds not the just man's rights, but grants vindication to the oppressed,
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.	7 And with kings upon thrones he sets them, exalted forever.
8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;	8 Or if they are bound with fetters and held fast by bonds of affliction,
9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.	9 Then he makes known to them what they have done and their sins of boastful pride.
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.	10 He opens their ears to correction and exhorts them to turn back from evil.
11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.	11 If they obey and serve him, they spend their days in prosperity, their years in happiness.
12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.	12 But if they obey not, they perish; they die for lack of knowledge.
13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.	13 The impious in heart lay up anger for themselves; they cry not for help when he enchains them;
14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.	14 Therefore they expire in youth, and perish among the reprobate.
15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.	15 But he saves the unfortunate through their affliction, and instructs them through distress.
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.
17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.	20
21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.	21 Take heed, turn not to evil; for you have preferred carousal to affliction.
22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?	22 Behold, God is sublime in his power. What teacher is there like him?
23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?	23 Who prescribes for him his conduct, or who can say, "You have done wrong"?
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.	24 Remember, you should extol his work, which men have praised in song.
25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.	25 All men contemplate it; man beholds it from afar.
26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.	26 Lo, God is great beyond our knowledge; the number of his years is past searching out.
27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:	27 He holds in check the waterdrops that filter in rain through his mists,
28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.	28 Till the skies run with them and the showers rain down on mankind.
29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.	30 Lo! he spreads the clouds in layers as the carpeting of his tent.
31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.	31 For by these he nourishes the nations, and gives them food in abundance.
32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.	32 In his hands he holds the lightning, and he commands it to strike the mark.
33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.	33 His thunder speaks for him and incites the fury of the storm.