> [[job-35|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-37|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 36 ## Chapter 36 1 Elihu continued and said: ^job-36-1 2 Wait a little and I will instruct you, ^job-36-2 for there are still words to be said for God. 3 I will assemble arguments from afar, ^job-36-3 and for my maker I will establish what is right. 4 For indeed, my words are not a lie; ^job-36-4 one perfect in knowledge is before you. 5 Look, God is great, not disdainful; ^job-36-5 his strength of purpose is great. He does not preserve the life of the wicked. 6 He establishes the right of the poor; ^job-36-6 he does not divert his eyes from the just 7 But he seats them upon thrones ^job-36-7 with kings, exalted forever. 8 If they are bound with fetters, ^job-36-8 held fast by bonds of affliction, 9 He lets them know what they have done, ^job-36-9 and how arrogant are their sins. 10 He opens their ears to correction ^job-36-10 and tells them to turn back from evil. 11 If they listen and serve him, ^job-36-11 they spend their days in prosperity, their years in happiness. 12 But if they do not listen, they pass to the grave, ^job-36-12 they perish for lack of knowledge. 13 The impious in heart lay up anger; ^job-36-13 they do not cry for help when he binds them; 14 They will die young— ^job-36-14 their life among the reprobate. 15 But he saves the afflicted through their affliction, ^job-36-15 and opens their ears through oppression. 16 He entices you from distress, ^job-36-16 to a broad place without constraint; what rests on your table is rich food. 17 Though you are full of the judgment of the wicked, ^job-36-17 judgment and justice will be maintained. 18 Let not anger at abundance entice you, ^job-36-18 nor great bribery lead you astray. 19 Will your wealth equip you against distress, ^job-36-19 or all your exertions of strength? 20 Do not long for the night, ^job-36-20 when peoples vanish in their place. 21 Be careful; do not turn to evil; ^job-36-21 for this you have preferred to affliction. 22 Look, God is exalted in his power. ^job-36-22 What teacher is there like him? 23 Who prescribes for him his way? ^job-36-23 Who says, “You have done wrong”? 24 Remember, you should extol his work, ^job-36-24 which people have praised in song. 25 All humankind beholds it; ^job-36-25 everyone views it from afar. 26 See, God is great beyond our knowledge, ^job-36-26 the number of his years past searching out. 27 He holds in check the waterdrops ^job-36-27 that filter in rain from his flood, 28 Till the clouds flow with them ^job-36-28 and they rain down on all humankind. 29 Can anyone understand the spreading clouds, ^job-36-29 the thunderings from his tent? 30 Look, he spreads his light over it, ^job-36-30 it covers the roots of the sea. 31 For by these he judges the nations, ^job-36-31 and gives food in abundance. 32 In his hands he holds the lightning, ^job-36-32 and he commands it to strike the mark. 33 His thunder announces him ^job-36-33 and incites the fury of the storm. \* (36:14) Life: a miserable life before death or a shadowy existence in Sheol. Reprobate: cf. [Dt 23:18] – [19]. \* (36:16] – [20) The Hebrew text here is obscure. Although each verse makes some sense, they do not constitute a logical sequence. \* (36:22] – [25) These verses serve as an introduction to the hymn about the divine marvels, [36:26] – [37:24], which in some respects anticipates the tone and content of the Lord’s speeches in chaps. [38] – [41]. \* (36:29] – [31) The translation of these verses is uncertain. a. (36:6) [Ps 72:4], [12] – [13]. b. (36:7) [Ps 113:7] – [8]. c. (36:23) [Jb 34:10]; [Is 40:13]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-35|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-37|Next →]]