Job 35

1 Then commenced Elihu, and said,

Moreover Elihu continued, saying,

2 Dost thou deem this to be just, that thou hast said, “My righteousness is more than God's?”

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

3 For thou sayest, “What benefit will it be unto thee? what more profit shall I have, 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 truly reply unto thee with words, and unto thy friends with thee.

I will answer you, both you and your friends.

5 Look unto the heavens, and see; and gaze on 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 sin, what dost thou effect against him? and if thy transgressions be multiplied, what canst thou do 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 doth he accept out of thy hand?

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

8 A man like thyself thy wickedness may reach, and a son of earth thy righteousness.

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 [the wicked] cause men to cry: these complain aloud because 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 [man] saith not, Where is God my maker, who bestoweth joyful songs even 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 the heavens?

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 do they cry, but he answereth not: because of the pride of evil men.

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

13 Only what is false will God not hear, nor will the Almighty regard it.

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

14 Although thou sayest, thou canst not see him: yet the decision is before him; and do thou wait 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 But now, because his anger hath punished nothing, shall he not greatly take cognizance of the multitude of sins?

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

16 But Job openeth wide his mouth for nought: without knowledge he heapeth up words.

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