Job 36:8-18

8 But they that are bound in fetters shall be holden in cords of poverty.

9 And he shall recount to them their works, and their transgressions, for such will act with violence.

10 But he will hearken to the righteous: and he has said that they shall turn from unrighteousness.

11 If they should hear and serve , they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in honour.

12 But he preserves not the ungodly; because they are not willing to know the Lord, and because when reproved they were disobedient.

13 And the hypocrites in heart will array wrath ; they will not cry, because he has bound them.

14 Therefore let their soul die in youth, and their life be wounded by messengers .

15 Because they afflicted the weak and helpless: and he will vindicate the judgment of the meek.

16 And he has also enticed thee out of the mouth of the enemy:

17 a deep gulf a rushing stream beneath it, and thy table came down full of fatness. Judgment shall not fail from the righteous;

18 but there shall be wrath upon the ungodly, by reason of the ungodliness of the bribes which they received for iniquities.

Job 36:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 36

This chapter, with the following, contains Elihu's fourth and last discourse, the principal view of which is to vindicate the righteousness of God; which is done by observing the dealings of God with men in his providence, according to their different characters, and from the wonderful works wrought by him in a sovereign manner, and for the benefit of his creatures. This chapter is introduced with a preface, the design of which is to gain attention, Job 36:1-4; the different dealings of God with men are observed, and the different issue of them, and the different ends answered thereby, Job 36:5-15; and it is suggested to Job, that had he attended to the design of the providence he was under, and had submitted to it patiently, things would have been otherwise with him; and therefore Elihu proceeds to give him some advice, which, if taken, would be for his own good, and the glory of God, Job 36:16-25; and closes the chapter by observing the unsearchable greatness of God, as appears by the works of nature wrought by him, Job 36:26-33.