Who rejoice exceedingly,
And rejoice when they find the grave?

“But now adversity comes upon you, and you are impatient and intolerant;
It touches you, and you are horrified.

“For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend;
So that he does not abandon (turn away from) the fear of the Almighty.

“They were put to shame and disappointed because they had trusted [that they would find water];
They came there and were ashamed.

“Can you discover the depths of God?
Can you [by searching] discover the limits of the Almighty [ascend to His heights, extend to His widths, and comprehend His infinite perfection]?

“He who denounces and informs against his friends for a share of the spoil,
The eyes of his children will also languish and fail.

“But as for all of you, come back again,
Even though I do not find a wise man among you.

“If you say, ‘How shall we [continue to] persecute him?’
And ‘What pretext for a case against him can we find [since we claim the root of these afflictions is found in him]?’

“He flies away like a dream and cannot be found;
Yes, he is chased away like a vision of the night.

“Oh, that I knew where I might find Him,
That I might [even] come to His seat!

“For God has made my heart faint,
And the Almighty has terrified me,

“But where can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?

“Man does not know the value of it;
Nor is it found in the land of the living.

“I assure you, the men of my tent have said,
‘Who can find one [in need] who has not been satisfied with his meat’?

Elihu’s anger burned against Job’s three friends because they had found no answer [and were unable to determine Job’s error], and yet they had condemned Job and declared him to be in the wrong [and responsible for his own afflictions].

“Beware if you say,
‘We have found wisdom;
God thrusts Job down [justly], not man [for God alone is dealing with him].’

“My belly is like unvented wine;
Like new wineskins it is about to burst.

Then the angel is gracious to him, and says,
‘Spare him from going down to the pit [of destruction];
I have found a ransom [a consideration, or reason for redemption, an atonement]!’

“For God pays a man according to his work,
And He will make every man find [appropriate] compensation according to his way.

“The Almighty—we cannot find Him;
He is exalted in power
And He will not do violence to [nor disregard] justice and abundant righteousness.

“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who disputes with God answer it.”