Job 35

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