2“Wait for me a little, and I will show you That there [392]is still more to be said on God’s behalf.
3I will bring my knowledge from afar, And ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5Behold, God is mighty but does not reject anyone; He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6He does not keep the wicked alive, But gives justice to the afflicted.
7He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous, But with kings on the throne He has seated them forever, and they are exalted.
8And if they are bound in shackles, And are caught in the snares of misery,
9Then He declares to them their work And their wrongdoings, that they have been arrogant.
10He opens their ears to instruction, And commands that they return from injustice.
11If they listen and serve Him, They will end their days in prosperity, And their years in happiness.
12But if they do not listen, they will [393]perish by the sword, And die without knowledge.
13But the godless in heart nurture anger; They do not call for help when He binds them.
14[394]They die in youth, And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes.
15He rescues the afflicted in [395]their misery, And opens their ears in time of oppression.
16Then indeed, He induced you away from the mouth of distress, And instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And your table was full of [396]rich food.
17“But you were full of judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18Beware that wrath does not entice you to mockery; And do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
19Will your cry for help keep you from distress, Or all the exertions of your strength?
20Do not long for the night, When people [397]vanish in their places.
21Be careful, do not turn to evil, For you preferred this to misery.
22Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him?
23Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?
24“Remember that you are to exalt His work, Of which people have sung.
25All people have seen it; Mankind looks at it from afar.
26Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable.
27For He draws up the drops of water; They distill rain from its [398]celestial stream,
28Which clouds pour down; They drip upon mankind abundantly.
29Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His [399]pavilion?
30Behold, He spreads His [400]lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea.
31For by them He judges peoples; He gives food in abundance.
32He covers His hands with the [401]lightning, And commands it to strike the target.
33Its thundering voice declares [402]His presence; The livestock also, concerning what is coming up.