Job 35

1 And Elius resumed and said,

Then Elihu continued, saying,

2 What is this that you think to be according to right? who are you that you have said, I am righteous before the Lord?

“Do you think it's honest to claim you are right before God?

3 I will answer you, and your three friends.

And you ask, ‘What benefit do I get? What good has it done me by not sinning?’

4 Look up to the sky and see; and consider the clouds, how high [they are] above you.

I'll tell you, and your friends too!

5 If you have sinned, what will you do?

Just look up at the sky and see. Observe the clouds high above you.

6 and if too you have transgressed much, what can you perform?

If you sin, how does that harm God? How do your many sins affect God?

7 And suppose you are righteous, what will you give him? or what shall he receive of your hand?

If you do what's right, what good are you doing for him?

8 Your ungodliness [may affect] a man who is like to you; or your righteousness a son of man.

No—your sins only affect people like yourself, and whatever good you do only affects them too.

9 They that are oppressed of a multitude will be ready to cry out; they will call for help because of the arm of many.

People cry out because of terrible persecution; they call for someone to save them from their oppressors.

10 But none said, Where is God that made me, who appoints the night-watches;

But no one asks, ‘Where is the God my maker, the one who gives songs in the night,

11 who makes me to differ from the four-footed beasts of the earth, and from the birds of the sky?

who teaches us more than the animals, and makes us wiser than the birds?’

12 There they shall cry, and none shall listen, even because of the insolence of wicked men.

When they call out for help, God doesn't answer because they are proud and evil people.

13 For the Lord desires not to look on error, for he is the Almighty One.

God doesn't listen to their empty cries; the Almighty doesn't pay them any attention.

14 He beholds them that perform lawless deeds, and he will save me: and do you plead before him, if you can praise him, as it is [possible] even now.

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 is not [now] regarding his wrath, nor has he noticed severely any trespass.

You're saying that God doesn't punish people in his anger and pays little attention to sin.

16 Yet Job vainly opens his mouth, in ignorance he multiplies words.

You, Job, are talking nonsense, making long speeches when you know nothing!”