Job 36:1-16

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

² “Bear with me a little, and I will show you,
    for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.
³ I will bring my knowledge from far away
    and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.^(A)
4 For truly my words are not false;
    one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.^(B)

⁵ “Surely God is mighty and does not despise any;
    he is mighty in strength of understanding.^(C)
6 He does not keep the wicked alive
    but gives the afflicted their right.^(D)
7 He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
    but with kings on the throne
    he sets them forever, and they are exalted.^(E)
8 And if they are bound in fetters
    and caught in the cords of affliction,
⁹ then he declares to them their work
    and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.^(F)
10 He opens their ears to instruction
    and commands that they return from iniquity.^(G)
11 If they listen and serve him,
    they complete their days in prosperity
    and their years in pleasantness.^(H)
12 But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword
    and die without knowledge.^(I)

¹³ “The godless in heart cherish anger;
    they do not cry for help when he binds them.^(J)
14 They die in their youth,
    and their life ends in shame.^[a](K)
15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction
    and opens their ear by adversity.^(L)
16 He also allured you out of distress
    into a broad place where there was no constraint,
    and what was set on your table was full of fatness.^(M)