Job 35
1 Then Elihu continued, saying,
Moreover Elihu proceeded, and said:
2 “Do you think it's honest to claim you are right before God?
Dost thou then think this to be right? Thou hast said, “I am more righteous than God.”
3 And you ask, ‘What benefit do I get? What good has it done me by not sinning?’
For thou askest, “What advantage have I? What have I gained, more than if I had sinned?”
4 I'll tell you, and your friends too!
I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee.
5 Just look up at the sky and see. Observe the clouds high above you.
Look up to the heavens, and see! And behold the clouds, which are high above thee!
6 If you sin, how does that harm God? How do your many sins affect God?
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against Him? If thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou to him?
7 If you do what's right, what good are you doing for him?
If thou art righteous, what dost thou give him? Or what receiveth he at thy hand?
8 No—your sins only affect people like yourself, and whatever good you do only affects them too.
Thy wickedness injureth only a man like thyself, And thy righteousness profiteth only a son of man.
9 People cry out because of terrible persecution; they call for someone to save them from their oppressors.
The oppressed cry out on account of the multitude of wrongs; They cry aloud on account of the arm of the mighty.
10 But no one asks, ‘Where is the God my maker, the one who gives songs in the night,
But none saith, “Where is God, my Maker, Who giveth songs in the night;
11 who teaches us more than the animals, and makes us wiser than the birds?’
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of heaven?”
12 When they call out for help, God doesn't answer because they are proud and evil people.
There they cry aloud on account of the pride of the wicked; But he giveth no answer.
13 God doesn't listen to their empty cries; the Almighty doesn't pay them any attention.
For God will not hear the vain supplication, Nor will the Almighty regard it;
14 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.
Much less when thou sayest thou canst not see him: Justice is with him, —only wait thou for him!
15 You're saying that God doesn't punish people in his anger and pays little attention to sin.
But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Nor taken strict note of transgression,
16 You, Job, are talking nonsense, making long speeches when you know nothing!”
Therefore hath Job opened his mouth rashly, And multiplied words without knowledge.
