Job 35
1 Moreover Eliu spoke these words:
Then Elihu also said this:
2 Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God?
“[Job, ] do you think that what you said is right/correct? You say, ‘God knows that I am innocent,’
3 For thou saidst: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?
and you say [to God], ‘What good have I received for not sinning? What benefit have I received from that?’ [DOU, RHQ]
4 Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.
[Well, ] I will answer you, and I will answer your three friends, too.
5 Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.
“[Job], look up at the sky; look at the clouds that are high above you and realize [that God is far above everything].
6 If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? and if thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him?
If you have sinned, that does not [RHQ] harm God at all. If many times you do things that are wrong, that certainly does not [RHQ] affect him [DOU].
7 And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?
And if you are righteous, does that help God? No, he is not benefited by anything that you do [DOU].
8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.
It is other people who suffer because of the wicked things that you do, but by doing good things for people, you help them.
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 the many things that people do to others to (oppress them/treat them cruelly); they call for help because of the things that powerful people do [MTY] to them.
10 And he hath not said: Where is God, who made me, who hath given songs in the night?
But (no one/none of them) calls out [to God], saying ‘Why does God, my creator, [not help me]? He [should] enable me to sing [joyful] songs, [instead of very sad songs, ] during the night.
11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and instructeth us more than the fowls of the air.
He [should be able to] teach us more than all the wild animals do; he [should] enable us to become wiser than [all] the birds are!’
12 There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men.
People cry out [for help], but God does not answer them, because those who cry out are proud and evil people.
13 God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.
It is useless for them to cry out, because God, the Almighty One, does not pay any attention to what they say.
14 Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him.
So, when you complain that you cannot see God, and you tell him that you are waiting for him [to decide whether or not you should be punished for what you have done], God will not listen to you, either!
15 For he doth not now bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.
Furthermore, [you say that] because he does not pay attention when people commit sins, he does not become angry and punish them.
16 Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.
You say things that are useless; you say a lot of things without knowing [what you are talking about].”
