Job 35

1 Then Elihu continued, saying,

Moreover Elihu, responded and said: —

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

This, dost thou think to be right? Thou hast said—My righteousness is more than GOD’S.

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

For thou dost say, How can one profit by thee? How can I benefit, more than by my sin?

4 I'll tell you, and your friends too!

I, will answer thee plainly, and thy friends with thee.

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

Look at the heavens and see, —and survey the skies—they are higher than thou.

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

If thou sinnest, what canst thou work against him? Or, if thy transgressions be multiplied, what canst thou do unto him?

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

If thou art righteous, what canst thou give unto him? Or what, at thy hand, can he accept?

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

Unto a man like thyself, might thy lawlessness [reach], and, unto a son of the earth-born, thy righteousness.

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

By reason of the multitude of oppressions, [men] make outcry, They cry for help, by reason of the arm of the mighty;

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

But none saith—Where is GOD my maker, Who giveth songs in the night;

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

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and, beyond the bird of the heavens, giveth us wisdom?

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

There, [men] make outcry, and he answereth not, because of the arrogance of evil-doers.

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

Howbeit, vanity, will GOD not hear, Yea, the Almighty, will not regard it.

14 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.

How much less when thou sayest thou wilt not regard him! The cause, is before him, and thou must wait for him.

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

But, now, because it is not so, [thou sayest] —His anger hath punished, and yet hath he not at all known of transgression;

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

Thus, Job, vainly openeth his mouth, Without knowledge, he multiplieth words.