1 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, 35:3 Some emend to me
and what benefit comes to me, if I do not sin? " 35:3 Jb 9:29; 21:15; 34:9
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? 35:7 Jb 22:3; 41:11; Rm 11:35
8 Your wickedness affects a person like yourself,
and your righteousness, a son of man. 35:8 Or a mere mortal
9 People cry out because of severe oppression;
they shout for help because of the power of the mighty. 35:9 Ex 2:23; Jb 24:12; 34:28
10 But no one asks, "Where is God my Maker, 35:10 Dt 32:6; Is 51:13; Jr 2:8
who provides us with songs in the night, 35:10 Ps 42:8; 77:6; Ac 16:25
11 who gives us more understanding than the animals of the earth
and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky? " 35:11 Jb 12:7; Mt 6:26
12 There they cry out, but he does not answer,
because of the pride of evil people. 35:12 Pr 1:28; Is 1:15; Zch 7:13
13 Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries,
and the Almighty does not take note of it —
14 how much less when 35:14 Or how then can you complain 35:14 Lit say
that you do not see him,
that your case 35:14 Jb 13:18; 23:4; 31:13 is before him
and you are waiting 35:14 Jb 6:8; 13:13; 14:14 for him.
15 But now, because God’s anger does not punish
and he does not pay attention to transgression, 35:15 LXX, Vg; MT reads folly, or arrogance; Hb obscure
16 Job opens his mouth in vain
and multiplies words without knowledge. 35:16 Jb 15:2; 21:22; 34:35