1Elihu continued speaking.

2“Be patient with me just a little while longer and let me explain. I still have something to say on God's behalf.

3I will share my extensive knowledge, ²⁴¹and I will prove my Creator is in the right.

4I assure you that what I'm saying are not lies, for I am a man whose knowledge is of the highest order. ²⁴²

5God is mighty, but doesn't despise anyone; he is powerful in strength and understanding.

6He does not keep the wicked alive, but gives justice to the oppressed.

7He always pays attention ²⁴³to those who do right, and places them on thrones with kings, honoring them eternally.

8If they are bound in chains, tied down by ropes of suffering,

9then he explains to them what they've done—their arrogant sins.

10He makes them pay attention ²⁴⁴and orders them to stop sinning.

11If they listen and do what God says they will live out their lives in happiness.

12But if they do not listen they will die a violent death, ²⁴⁵ignorant of God.

13Those who reject God hold on to their bitterness. Even when he disciplines them they do not cry out to him for help.

14They die in their youth; their lives end among the male temple prostitutes. ²⁴⁶

15Through suffering God saves those who suffer; he gets their attention through their troubles.

16God is trying to rescue you from the jaws of trouble to a place of freedom and safety, ²⁴⁷filling your table full of the very best food.

17But you are preoccupied with the fate of the wicked; judgment and justice fill your mind.

18But be careful that your anger doesn't seduce you into mockery; and don't let the size of the ‘bribe’ ²⁴⁸lead you into sin.

19Will your cry for help sustain you when troubles come? ²⁴⁹

20Do not long for the night when people are suddenly taken away. ²⁵⁰

21Watch out that you don't turn to evil! For it's because of this that you are being tested through suffering.

22Look how much power God has! What teacher is like him?

23Who has instructed him what to do? Who can say to him ‘You have done wrong’?

24Instead you should praise him for what he has done, as people have done in song. ²⁵¹

25Everyone has seen God's creation, though only from a distance. ²⁵²

26See how great God is—more than we can understand! No one can count his years.

27He draws up the water and distils it into the dew and the rain.

28The clouds pour down rain, falling plentifully on humankind.

29Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out, or how thunder roars from where he lives? ²⁵³

30See how he scatters lightning around him, and covers the depths of the sea in darkness.

31By these actions he rules the people, he provides abundant food.

32He holds lightning in his hands and commands where it should strike.

33Thunder declares his presence—even cattle know when a storm is coming.” ²⁵⁴