Job 35

1 Moreover Elihu answered and said:

Moreover Elihu continued, saying,

2 Thinkest thou this to be thy right, or sayest thou: 'I am righteousness before God',

“Do you think this is just when you say, 'My right before God'?

3 That thou inquirest: 'What advantage will it be unto Thee?' And: 'What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'

For you ask, 'What use is it to me?' and, 'Would I be better off if I had sinned?'

4 I will give thee answer, and thy companions with thee.

I will answer you, both you and your friends.

5 Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the skies, which are higher than thou.

Look up at the sky, and see it; see the sky, which is higher than you.

6 If thou hast sinned, what doest thou against Him? And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto Him?

If you have sinned, what harm do you do to God? If your transgressions pile up high, what do you do to him?

7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou Him? Or what receiveth He of thy hand?

If you are righteous, what can you give to him? What will he receive from your hand?

8 Thy wickedness concerneth a man as thou art; and thy righteousness a son of man.

Your wickedness may hurt a man, as you are a man, and your righteousness might benefit another son of man.

9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; they cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

Because of many acts of oppression, people cry out; they call for help from the arms of mighty men.

10 But none saith: 'Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night;

But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?'

who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth, and who makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'

12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.

There they cry out, but God gives no answer because of the pride of evil men.

13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

God will certainly not hear a foolish cry; the Almighty will pay no attention to it.

14 Yea, when thou sayest thou canst not see Him — the cause is before Him; therefore wait thou for Him.

How much less will he answer you if you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him, and that you are waiting for him!

15 And now, is it for nought that He punished in His anger? And hath He not full knowledge of arrogance?

Now you say that his anger does not punish, and he does not take even a litte notice of transgression.

16 But Job doth open his mouth in vanity; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

So Job opens his mouth only to speak foolishness; he piles up words without knowledge.”