36:2 "Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God's behalf.
36:3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.
36:4 For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you.
36:5 Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.
36:6 He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor.
36:7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.
36:8 But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction,
36:9 then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.
36:10 And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil.
36:11 If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.
36:12 But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge.
36:13 The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them.
36:14 They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.
36:15 He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering.
36:16 And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress, to a wide place, unrestricted, and to the comfort of your table filled with rich food.
36:17 But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you.
36:18 Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
36:19 Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts?
36:20 Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes.
36:21 Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.
36:22 Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?
36:23 Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, 'You have done what is wicked'?
36:24 Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.
36:25 All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar.
36:26 "Yes, God is great--beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable.
36:27 He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist,
36:28 which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly.
36:29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?
36:30 See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea.
36:31 It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance.
36:32 With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target.
36:33 His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm's approach.
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