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Job 36 (CEV)

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¹ Elihu said: ² Be patient a while longer; I have something else to say in God's defense. ³ God always does right-- and this knowledge comes straight from God. ⁴ You can rest assured that what I say is true. ⁵ Although God is mighty, he cares about everyone and makes fair decisions. ⁶ The wicked are cut down, and those who are wronged receive justice. ⁷ God watches over good people and places them in positions of power and honor forever. ⁸ But when people are prisoners of suffering and pain, ⁹ God points out their sin and their pride, ¹⁰ then he warns them to turn back to him. ¹¹ And if they obey, they will be successful and happy from then on. ¹² But if they foolishly refuse, they will be rewarded with a violent death. ¹³ Godless people are too angry to ask God for help when he punishes them. ¹⁴ So they die young in shameful disgrace. ¹⁵ Hard times and trouble are God's way of getting our attention! ¹⁶ And at this very moment, God deeply desires to lead you from trouble and to spread your table with your favorite food. ¹⁷ Now that the judgment for your sins has fallen upon you, ¹⁸ don't let your anger and the pain you endured make you sneer at God. ¹⁹ Your reputation and riches cannot protect you from distress, ²⁰ nor can you find safety in the dark world below. ²¹ Be on guard! Don't turn to evil as a way of escape. ²² God's power is unlimited. He needs no teachers ²³ to guide or correct him. ²⁴ Others have praised God for what he has done, so join with them. ²⁵ From down here on earth, everyone has looked up and seen ²⁶ how great God is-- God is more than we imagine; no one can count the years he has lived. ²⁷ God gathers moisture into the clouds ²⁸ and supplies us with rain. ²⁹ Who can understand how God scatters the clouds and speaks from his home in the thunderstorm? ³⁰ And when God sends lightning, it can be seen at the bottom of the sea. ³¹ By producing such rainstorms, God rules the world and provides us with food. ³² Each flash of lightning is one of his arrows striking its target, ³³ and the thunder tells of his anger against sin.