Job 35
Holman Christian Standard Bible
35 Then Elihu continued, saying:
2 Do you think it is just when you say,
“I am righteous before God”?
3 For you ask, “What does it profit You,[a]
and what benefit comes to me, if I do not sin?”(A)
4 I will answer you
and your friends with you.
5 Look at the heavens and see;
gaze at the clouds high above you.
6 If you sin, how does it affect God?
If you multiply your transgressions, what does it do to Him?
7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him,
or what does He receive from your hand?(B)
8 Your wickedness affects a person like yourself,
and your righteousness another human being.
9 People cry out because of severe oppression;
they shout for help because of the arm of the mighty.(C)
10 But no one asks, “Where is God my Maker,(D)
who provides us with songs in the night,(E)
11 who gives us more understanding than the animals of the earth
and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?”(F)
12 There they cry out, but He does not answer,
because of the pride of evil men.(G)
13 Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries,
and the Almighty does not take note of it—
14 how much less when[b] you complain[c]
that you do not see Him,
that your case(H) is before Him
and you are waiting(I) for Him.
15 But now, because God’s anger does not punish
and He does not pay attention to transgression,[d]
16 Job opens his mouth in vain
and multiplies words without knowledge.(J)
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.”
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.
