Part 307 (2/2)

He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.

And if they be bound in fetters, And be taken in the cords of affliction; Then he sheweth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

He openeth also their ear to instruction.

Behold, G.o.d is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable.

For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapour: Which the skies pour down And drop upon man abundantly.

Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, The thunderings of his pavilion?

Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea.

For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth meat in abundance.

He covereth his hands with the lightning; And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark.

The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning the storm that cometh up.

At this also my heart trembleth, {220} And is moved out of its place.

Hearken ye unto the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty: And he stayeth them not when his voice is heard.

G.o.d thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

For he saith to the snow, ”Fall thou on the earth”; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain.

He sealeth up the hand of every man; That all men whom he hath made may know it.

Then the beasts go into coverts, And remain in their dens.

Out of the chamber of the south cometh the storm: And cold out of the north.

By the breath of G.o.d ice is given: And the breadth of the waters is straitened.

Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning: And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world: Whether it be for correction, or for his land, Or for mercy, that he cause it to come.

Hearken unto this, O Job: {221} Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of G.o.d.

Dost thou know how G.o.d layeth his charge upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to s.h.i.+ne?

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

How thy garments are warm, When the earth is still by reason of the south wind?

Canst thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror?

Teach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

Shall it be told him that I would speak?

Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies: But the wind pa.s.seth, and cleanseth them.

Out of the north cometh golden splendour: G.o.d hath upon him terrible majesty.

Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out; he is excellent in power: And in judgment and plenteous justice he will not afflict.

Men do therefore fear him: He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.

(_Elihu_ offers his solution to the question, Why does Job suffer? He is young, conceited, and wordy, but sincere in his belief that he has wisdom which his elders and betters have not found. It is difficult to see what that wisdom is. Most of what he says has been better said before. If he adds anything, it is the thought that G.o.d sometimes sends suffering, not only to punish for past sin, but to keep man from future sin.)

{222}

V

THE LORD.

(He speaks to Job out of the whirlwind.)

Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge?

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