Job

Elihu continued:

"Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said in God's behalf.

I get my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe justice to my Maker.

Be assured that my words are not false; one perfect in knowledge is with you.

"God is mighty, but does not despise men; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.

He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights.

He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.

But if men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction,

he tells them what they have done--that they have sinned arrogantly.

He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.

If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

"The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.

They die in their youth, among male prostitutes of the shrines.