< Job 35 >

1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
Moreover Elihu proceeded, and said:
2 Thinkest thou this to be [thy] right, [or] sayest thou, My righteousness is more than God’s,
Dost thou then think this to be right? Thou hast said, “I am more righteous than God.”
3 That thou sayest, What advantage will it be unto thee? [and], What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?
For thou askest, “What advantage have I? What have I gained, more than if I had sinned?”
4 I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee.
5 Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the skies, which are higher than thou.
Look up to the heavens, and see! And behold the clouds, which are high above thee!
6 If thou hast sinned, what doest thou against him? and if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him.
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against Him? If thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou to him?
7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
If thou art righteous, what dost thou give him? Or what receiveth he at thy hand?
8 Thy wickedness [may hurt] a man as thou art; and thy righteousness [may profit] a son of man.
Thy wickedness injureth only a man like thyself, And thy righteousness profiteth only a 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.
The oppressed cry out on account of the multitude of wrongs; They cry aloud on account of the arm of the mighty.
10 But none saith, Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night;
But none saith, “Where is God, my Maker, Who giveth 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 teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of heaven?”
12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
There they cry aloud on account of the pride of the wicked; But he giveth no answer.
13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
For God will not hear the vain supplication, Nor will the Almighty regard it;
14 How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not, the cause is before him, and thou waitest for him!
Much less when thou sayest thou canst not see him: Justice is with him, —only wait thou for him!
15 But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, neither doth he greatly regard arrogance;
But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Nor taken strict note of transgression,
16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vanity; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
Therefore hath Job opened his mouth rashly, And multiplied words without knowledge.

< Job 35 >