Job 35
English Standard Version
Elihu Condemns Job
35 And Elihu answered and said:
2 “Do you think this to be just?
Do you say, (A)‘It is my right before God,’
3 that you ask, (B)‘What advantage have I?
How am I better off than if I had sinned?’
4 I will answer you
and (C)your friends with you.
5 (D)Look at the heavens, and see;
and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.
6 If you have sinned, (E)what do you accomplish against him?
And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7 (F)If you are righteous, what do you give to him?
Or what does he receive from your hand?
8 Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself,
and your righteousness (G)a son of man.
9 “Because of the multitude of (H)oppressions people (I)cry out;
they call for help because of the arm of (J)the mighty.[a]
10 But none says, ‘Where is God my (K)Maker,
who gives (L)songs in the night,
11 who teaches us (M)more than the beasts of the earth
and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’
12 There they (N)cry out, but he does not answer,
because of the pride of evil men.
13 Surely God does not hear an empty cry,
nor does the Almighty regard it.
14 How much less when you say that you (O)do not see him,
that the case is before him, and you are (P)waiting for him!
15 And now, because (Q)his anger does not punish,
and he does not take much note of transgression,[b]
16 Job opens his mouth in empty talk;
he (R)multiplies words (S)without knowledge.”
Job 35
International Standard Version
Elihu Speaks Again
35 In response, Elihu said:
2 “Are you saying that it’s just for you to claim,
‘I’m more righteous than God?’
3 After all, you’ve asked what your benefit will be:
‘What will I profit from refraining from sin?’
4 I’m going to respond to that statement,
and to your friends with you.”
God’s Justice Remains Unsullied
5 “Observe the heavens! Take a look around!
Look! The clouds are higher than you, aren’t they?
6 If you sin, what will that do to harm him?
If you add transgression to transgression
what will it do to him?
7 If you are righteous, what will you add to him?
What can God receive from your efforts?[a]
8 Your wickedness affects only[b] yourself;
and your righteousness, only human beings.[c]
9 “They cry out because they have many oppressors;
they cry for help because the powerful are abusing them.[d]
10 He never asks, ‘Where is God, my Creator,
who gives me songs in the night,
11 who teaches us more than the earth’s wild animals,
and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
12 “They cry out there, but he doesn’t answer
because of the arrogance of those who practice evil.
13 Theirs is a useless plea—
God won’t listen;
the Almighty won’t pay any attention.
14 Even though you complain that you can’t perceive him,
your case is already pending for judgment in his presence
so keep on placing your hope in him.
15 “So now, if he doesn’t inflict punishment in his anger,
then he doesn’t keep track of your many transgressions.
16 When he began speaking, he communicated only worthlessness;
he added words upon words without knowing anything.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
