Job 35

1 Moreover Eliu spoke these words:

Moreover Elihu continued, saying,

2 Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God?

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

3 For thou saidst: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?

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

4 Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.

I will answer you, both you and your friends.

5 Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.

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

6 If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? and if thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against 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 And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?

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

8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the 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 shall cry out: and shall wail for the violence of the arm of tyrants.

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

10 And he hath not said: Where is God, who made me, who hath given 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 instructeth us more than the fowls of the air.

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 shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men.

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

13 God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.

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

14 Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect 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 For he doth not now bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.

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

16 Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.

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