Job 35

1 After this, Eliu again spoke in this way:

Moreover Elihu proceeded, and said:

2 Does it seem right to you in your thoughts, that you should say, “I am more just than God?”

Dost thou then think this to be right? Thou hast said, “I am more righteous than God.”

3 For you said, “Having done what is right does not please you,” and, “How will it benefit you, if I sin?”

For thou askest, “What advantage have I? What have I gained, more than if I had sinned?”

4 And so, I will respond to your words, and to your friends who are with you.

I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee.

5 Look up towards heaven and consider; also, think about the sky, which is higher than you.

Look up to the heavens, and see! And behold the clouds, which are high above thee!

6 If you sin, how will it hurt him? And if your iniquities are multiplied, what will you do against him?

If thou sinnest, what doest thou against Him? If thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou to him?

7 Furthermore, if you act justly, what will you give him, or what will he receive from your hand?

If thou art righteous, what dost thou give him? Or what receiveth he at thy hand?

8 Your impiety may hurt a man who is like you, though your justice may help the son of the man.

Thy wickedness injureth only a man like thyself, And thy righteousness profiteth only a son of man.

9 Because of the multitude of false accusers, they will cry out; and they will lament because of the strong arm of the tyrants.

The oppressed cry out on account of the multitude of wrongs; They cry aloud on account of the arm of the mighty.

10 Yet he has not said: “Where is God, who made me, who has given songs in the night,

But none saith, “Where is God, my Maker, Who giveth songs in the night;

11 who teaches us in addition to the beasts of the earth, and who educates us along with the birds of the air?”

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of heaven?”

12 There they will cry, and he will not heed them, because of the arrogance of the wicked.

There they cry aloud on account of the pride of the wicked; But he giveth no answer.

13 Therefore, God does not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into each and every case.

For God will not hear the vain supplication, Nor will the Almighty regard it;

14 And so, when you say, “He does not examine,” be judged before him, but wait for him.

Much less when thou sayest thou canst not see him: Justice is with him, —only wait thou for him!

15 For, at the present time, he does not bring forth his fury, nor does he punish sin exceedingly.

But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Nor taken strict note of transgression,

16 Therefore, Job has opened his mouth in vain and has multiplied words without knowledge.

Therefore hath Job opened his mouth rashly, And multiplied words without knowledge.