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35 ¶ Elihu proceeded in his reasoning and said,

Dost thou think this to be right, when thou didst say, I am more righteous than God?

For thou didst say, What advantage will it be unto thee? And, What profit shall I have, if I am cleansed from my sin?

I will answer thee and thy companions with thee.

Look unto the heavens and see; and behold the heavens which are higher than thou.

If thou dost sin, what hast thou done against him? Or if thy rebellion is multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

If thou art righteous, what shalt thou give him? Or what shall he receive of thine hand?

Thy wickedness shall hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness shall profit the son of man.

¶ By reason of the great violence they shall call out; they cry out because of the strength of the many.

10 But no one shall say, Where is God my maker, who gives songs in the night;

11 who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

12 There they shall cry, but he shall give no answer because of the pride of those that are evil.

13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty look upon it.

14 ¶ For much that thou dost say, he will not look upon it, submit to judgment before him, and trust thou in him.

15 But now, because he has not visited in wrath; nor is it known in great extremity;

16 therefore, Job opened his mouth in vain and multiplied words without knowledge.

35 Then Elihu continued, saying:

Do you think it is just when you say,
“I am righteous before God”?
For you ask, “What does it profit you,[a]
and what benefit comes to me, if I do not sin?” (A)
I will answer you
and your friends with you.
Look at the heavens and see;
gaze at the clouds high above you.
If you sin, how does it affect God?
If you multiply your transgressions, what does it do to him?
If you are righteous, what do you give him,
or what does he receive from your hand?(B)
Your wickedness affects a person like yourself,
and your righteousness, a son of man.[b]
People cry out because of severe oppression;
they shout for help because of the power 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 people.(G)
13 Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries,
and the Almighty does not take note of it—
14 how much less when[c] you complain[d]
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,[e]
16 Job opens his mouth in vain
and multiplies words without knowledge.(J)

Footnotes

  1. 35:3 Some emend to me
  2. 35:8 Or a mere mortal
  3. 35:14 Or how then can
  4. 35:14 Lit say
  5. 35:15 LXX, Vg; MT reads folly, or arrogance; Hb obscure

Elihu Condemns Self-Righteousness

35 Moreover Elihu answered and said:

“Do you think this is right?
Do you say,
‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?
For (A)you say,
‘What advantage will it be to You?
What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’

“I will answer you,
And (B)your companions with you.
(C)Look to the heavens and see;
And behold the clouds—
They are higher than you.
If you sin, what do you accomplish (D)against Him?
Or, if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him?
(E)If you are righteous, what do you give Him?
Or what does He receive from your hand?
Your wickedness affects a man such as you,
And your righteousness a son of man.

“Because(F) of the multitude of oppressions they cry out;
They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty.
10 But no one says, (G)‘Where is God my Maker,
(H)Who gives songs in the night,
11 Who (I)teaches us more than the beasts of the earth,
And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’
12 (J)There they cry out, but He does not answer,
Because of the pride of evil men.
13 (K)Surely God will not listen to empty talk,
Nor will the Almighty regard it.
14 (L)Although you say you do not see Him,
Yet justice is before Him, and (M)you must wait for Him.
15 And now, because He has not (N)punished in His anger,
Nor taken much notice of folly,
16 (O)Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain;
He multiplies words without knowledge.”