New International Version NIV
Common English Bible CEB
1 Elihu continued:
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Continuing, Elihu said,
2 “Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.
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Wait a little while so I can demonstrate for you that there is still something more to say about God.
3 I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
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I will draw from my broad knowledge, attribute justice to my maker.
4 Be assured that my words are not false; one who has perfect knowledge is with you.
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My words are certainly truthful; one with total knowledge is present with you.
5 “God is mighty, but despises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
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Look, God is mighty and doesn't reject anyone; he is mighty in strength and mind.
6 He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.
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He doesn't let the wicked live, but grants justice to the poor.
7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.
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He doesn't avert his eyes from the righteous; he seats kings on thrones forever, and they are lifted up.
8 But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction,
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If they are tied with ropes, caught in cords of affliction,
9 he tells them what they have done— that they have sinned arrogantly.
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he informs them about their offenses and their grave sins.
10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.
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He opens their ears with discipline and commands them to turn from wrong.
11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.
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If they listen and serve, they spend their days in plenty, their years contentedly.
12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the swordand die without knowledge.
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But if they don't listen, they perish by the sword, breathe their last without understanding.
13 “The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.
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Those with impious hearts become furious; they don't cry out even though he binds them.
14 They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines.
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They die young; they are among the holy ones.
15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.
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He saves the weak in their affliction, opens their ears through oppression.
16 “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.
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Surely he draws you up from the brink of trouble to a wide place without distress; your table is set with rich food.
17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you.
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You are overly concerned about the case of the wicked; justice will be upheld in it.
18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
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Don't let them lure you with wealth; don't let a huge bribe mislead you.
19 Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?
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Will he arrange your rescue from distress or from all your exertions of strength?
20 Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes.
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Don't wish for the night when people vanish from their place.
21 Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction.
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Take care; don't turn to evil because you've chosen it over affliction.
22 “God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
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Look, God is inaccessible due to his power; who is a teacher like him?
23 Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?
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Who has repaid him for his action, and who would ever say, "You've done wrong"?
24 Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.
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Remember to praise his work that all of us have seen.
25 All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar.
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Every person has seen him; people can observe at great distance.
26 How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out.
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Look, God is exalted and unknowable; the number of his years is beyond counting.
27 “He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams ;
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He draws up drops of water that distill rain from his flood;
28 the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind.
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the clouds pour moisture and drip continually on humans.
29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?
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Even if one perceives a spreading cloud and the thunder of his pavilion,
30 See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea.
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look how he spreads lightning across it and covers the seabed;
31 This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance.
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for by water he judges peoples and gives food in abundance.
32 He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.
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He conceals lightning in his palms and orders it to its target.
33 His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.
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His thunder announces it; even cattle proclaim its rising.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible