| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Elihu responded again and said: | 1Then Elihu continued, saying: |
| 2"Be patient with me a moment longer, and I'll show you that there's more to say on God's behalf. | 2Be patient with me a little longer, and I will inform you, for there is still more to be said on God's behalf. |
| 3I'll take what I know to its logical conclusion and ascribe righteousness to my Creator, | 3I will get my knowledge from a distant place and ascribe justice to my Maker. |
| 4because what I have to say isn't deceptive, and the one who has perfect knowledge is with you." | 4For my arguments are without flaw; one who has perfect knowledge is with you. |
| 5"Indeed God is mighty and he doesn't show disrespect; he is mighty and strong of heart. | 5Yes, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He understands all things. |
| 6He doesn't let the wicked live; he grants justice to the afflicted. | 6He does not keep the wicked alive, but He gives justice to the afflicted. |
| 7He won't stop looking at righteous people; he seats them on thrones with kings forever, and they are exalted. | 7He does not remove His gaze from the righteous, but He seats them forever with enthroned kings, and they are exalted. |
| 8"If they're bound in chains, caught in ropes of affliction, | 8If people are bound with chains and trapped by the cords of affliction, |
| 9he'll reveal their actions to them, when their transgressions have become excessive. | 9God tells them what they have done and how arrogantly they have transgressed. |
| 10He opens their ears and instructs them, commanding them to repent from evil. | 10He opens their ears to correction and insists they repent from iniquity. |
| 11If they listen and serve him, they'll finish their lives in prosperity and their years will be pleasant. | 11If they serve Him obediently, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness. |
| 12"But if they won't listen, they'll perish by the sword and die in their ignorance. | 12But if they do not obey, they will cross the river of death and die without knowledge. |
| 13The godless at heart cherish anger; they won't cry out for help when God afflicts them. | 13Those who have a godless heart harbor anger; even when God binds them, they do not cry for help. |
| 14They die in their youth; and their life will end among temple prostitutes. | 14They die in their youth; their life ends among male cult prostitutes. |
| 15He'll deliver the afflicted through their afflictions and open their ears when they are oppressed." | 15God rescues the afflicted by their affliction; He instructs them by their torment. |
| 16"Indeed, he drew you away from the brink of distress to a spacious place without constraints, filling your festive table with bountiful food. | 16Indeed, He lured you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and unconfined place. Your table was spread with choice food. |
| 17But now you are occupied with the case of the wicked; but justice and judgment will be served. | 17Yet now you are obsessed with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have seized you. |
| 18So that no one entices you with riches, don't let a large ransom turn you astray. | 18Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large ransom lead you astray. |
| 19"Will your wealth sustain you when you're in distress, despite your most powerful efforts? | 19Can your wealth or all your physical exertion keep you from distress? |
| 20Don't long for night, when people vanish in their place. | 20Do not long for the night when nations will disappear from their places. |
| 21Be careful! Don't turn to evil, because of this you will be tried by more than affliction. | 21Be careful that you do not turn to iniquity, for that is why you have been tested by affliction. |
| 22"Indeed, God is exalted in his power. Who is like him as a teacher? | 22Look, God shows Himself exalted by His power. Who is a teacher like Him? |
| 23Who ordained his path for him, and who has asked him, 'You are wrong, aren't you?' | 23Who has appointed His way for Him, and who has declared, "You have done wrong"? |
| 24Remember to magnify his awesome activities, about which mortal man has sung. | 24Remember that you should praise His work, which people have sung about. |
| 25All of mankind sees him; human beings observe him from afar off." | 25All mankind has seen it; people have looked at it from a distance. |
| 26"God is truly awesome, beyond what we know; the number of his years is unknowable. | 26Yes, God is exalted beyond our knowledge; the number of His years cannot be counted. |
| 27He draws up drops of water, distilling it to rain and mist. | 27For He makes waterdrops evaporate; they distill the rain into its mist, |
| 28When the clouds pour down; they drop their rain on all of humanity. | 28which the clouds pour out and shower abundantly on mankind. |
| 29"Furthermore, can anyone understand cloud patterns, or the thundering in his pavilion? | 29Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out or how the thunder roars from God's pavilion? |
| 30He scatters his lightning above it, and covers the bottom of the sea. | 30See how He spreads His lightning around Him and covers the depths of the sea. |
| 31He uses them to judge some people and give food to many. | 31For He judges the nations with these; He gives food in abundance. |
| 32His hands are covered with lightning that he commands to strike his designated target. | 32He covers His hands with lightning and commands it to hit its mark. |
| 33His thunder declares his presence; and tells the animals what is coming." | 33The thunder declares His presence; the cattle also, the approaching storm. |
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