Job 36
Eliu asserts that God is just and powerful, and that He does not abandon the righteous, but rather establishes and exalts them. However, God does not save the wicked, and instead judges them for their sinfulness. Those who listen to God's correction and obey will be rewarded with goodness and glory, but those who refuse will perish. Eliu also warns against oppression and corruption, and reminds that God's ways are beyond human understanding, and that He is exalted in His strength and wisdom.
Continuing in a similar manner, Eliu had this to sayBear with me for a little while and I will show you; for I have still more to say in favor of GodI will review my knowledge from the beginning, and I will prove my Maker to be justFor truly my words are without any falsehood and perfect knowledge will be proven to youGod does not abandon the powerful, for he himself is also powerfulBut he does not save the impious, though he grants judgment to the poorHe will not take his eyes away from the just, and he continually establishes kings on their throne, and they are exaltedAnd, if they are in captivity, or are bound with the chains of povertyhe will reveal to them their works, as well as their sinfulness, in that they were violentLikewise, he will open their ears to his correction, and he will speak to them, so that they may return from iniquityIf they listen and obey, they will fill their days with goodness and complete their years in gloryBut if they will not listen, they will pass away by the sword and will be consumed by foolishnessThe false and the crafty provoke the wrath of God, yet they do not cry out to him when they are chainedTheir soul will die in a storm, and their life, among the unmanlyHe will rescue the poor from his anguish, and he will open his ear during tribulationTherefore, he will save you from the narrow mouth very widely, even though it has no foundation under it. Moreover, your respite at table will be full of fatnessYour case has been judged like that of the impious; you will withdraw your plea and your judgmentTherefore, do not let anger overwhelm you so that you oppress another; neither should you allow a multitude of gifts to influence youLay down your greatness without distress, and put aside all of your power with courageDo not prolong the night, even if people rise on their behalfBe careful that you do not turn to iniquity; for, after your misery, you have begun to follow thisBehold, God is exalted in his strength, and there is no one like him among the law-giversWho is able to investigate his ways? And who can say, "You have done iniquity," to himRemember that you are ignorant of his work, yet men have sung its praisesAll men consider him; and each one ponders from a distanceBehold, God is great, defeating our knowledge; the number of his years is inestimableHe carries away the drops of rain, and he sends forth showers like a raging whirlpoolthey flow from the clouds that are woven above everythingIf he wills it, he extends the clouds as his tenand shines with his light from above; likewise, he covers the oceans within his tentFor he judges the people by these things, and he gives food to a multitude of mortalsWithin his hands, he hides the light, and he commands it to come forth againHe announces it to his friend, for it is his possession and he is able to reach out to it
Share this chapter