|
2 "Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
that there is more to be said in God's behalf. |
3 I get my knowledge from afar;
I will ascribe justice to my Maker. |
4 Be assured that my words are not false;
one perfect in knowledge is with you. |
5 "God is mighty, but does not despise men;
he is mighty, and firm in his purpose. |
6 He does not keep the wicked alive
but gives the afflicted their rights. |
7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous;
he enthrones them with kings
and exalts them forever. |
8 But if men are bound in chains,
held fast by cords of affliction, |
9 he tells them what they have done-
that they have sinned arrogantly. |
10 He makes them listen to correction
and commands them to repent of their evil. |
11 If they obey and serve him,
they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity
and their years in contentment. |
12 But if they do not listen,
they will perish by the sword1 36:12 Or will cross the River
and die without knowledge. |
13 "The godless in heart harbor resentment;
even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help. |
14 They die in their youth,
among male prostitutes of the shrines. |
15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering;
he speaks to them in their affliction. |
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. |
17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;
judgment and justice have taken hold of you. |
18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
do not let a large bribe turn you aside. |
19 Would your wealth
or even all your mighty efforts
sustain you so you would not be in distress? |
20 Do not long for the night,
to drag people away from their homes.2 36:20 The meaning of the Hebrew for verses 18-20 is uncertain. |
21 Beware of turning to evil,
which you seem to prefer to affliction. |
22 "God is exalted in his power.
Who is a teacher like him? |
23 Who has prescribed his ways for him,
or said to him, 'You have done wrong'? |
24 Remember to extol his work,
which men have praised in song. |
25 All mankind has seen it;
men gaze on it from afar. |
26 How great is God-beyond our understanding!
The number of his years is past finding out. |
27 "He draws up the drops of water,
which distill as rain to the streams3 36:27 Or distill from the mist as rain ; |
28 the clouds pour down their moisture
and abundant showers fall on mankind. |
29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,
how he thunders from his pavilion? |
30 See how he scatters his lightning about him,
bathing the depths of the sea. |
31 This is the way he governs4 36:31 Or nourishes the nations
and provides food in abundance. |
32 He fills his hands with lightning
and commands it to strike its mark. |
33 His thunder announces the coming storm;
even the cattle make known its approach.5 36:33 Or announces his coming- / the One zealous against evil |
