1
Elihu also proceeded, and said,
2
Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.
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I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
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For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
5
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
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He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
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He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
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And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
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Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
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He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
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If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
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But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
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But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
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They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
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He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
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Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
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But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
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Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.
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Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
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Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
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Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
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Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
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Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
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Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.
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Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
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Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
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For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
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Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
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Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
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Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
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For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
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With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
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The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.