Job 35
1 Moreover Eliu spoke these words:
Then Elihu continued, saying,
2 Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God?
“Do you think it's honest to claim you are right before God?
3 For thou saidst: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?
And you ask, ‘What benefit do I get? What good has it done me by not sinning?’
4 Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.
I'll tell you, and your friends too!
5 Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.
Just look up at the sky and see. Observe the clouds high above you.
6 If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? and if thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him?
If you sin, how does that harm God? How do your many sins affect God?
7 And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?
If you do what's right, what good are you doing for him?
8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.
No—your sins only affect people like yourself, and whatever good you do only affects them too.
9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they shall cry out: and shall wail for the violence of the arm of tyrants.
People cry out because of terrible persecution; they call for someone to save them from their oppressors.
10 And he hath not said: Where is God, who made me, who hath given songs in the night?
But no one asks, ‘Where is the God my maker, the one who gives songs in the night,
11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and instructeth us more than the fowls of the air.
who teaches us more than the animals, and makes us wiser than the birds?’
12 There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men.
When they call out for help, God doesn't answer because they are proud and evil people.
13 God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.
God doesn't listen to their empty cries; the Almighty doesn't pay them any attention.
14 Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him.
How much less will God hear you when you say he can't see you? Your case is before him, so you have to wait for him.
15 For he doth not now bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.
You're saying that God doesn't punish people in his anger and pays little attention to sin.
16 Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.
You, Job, are talking nonsense, making long speeches when you know nothing!”
