The Book of Job

And Elihu went on to say:

“Do you think this is just? You say, ‘I am more righteous than God.’(a)

For you ask, ‘What does it profit me, and what benefit do I gain apart from sin?’

I will reply to you and to your friends as well.

Look to the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds high above you.

If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? If you multiply your transgressions, what do you do to Him?

If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand?

Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only a son of man.

Men cry out under great oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the mighty.

But no one asks, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives us songs in the night,

who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?’

There they cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men.

Surely God does not listen to empty pleas, and the Almighty does not take note of it.

How much less, then, when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him,

and further, that in His anger He has not punished or taken much notice of folly!

So Job opens his mouth in vain and multiplies words without knowledge.”

(a)35:2 Or ‘I am righteous before God.’

Moreover Elihu answered,

“Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’

that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’

I will answer you, and your companions with you.

Look to the skies, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?

Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

“By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’

There they cry, but no one answers, because of the pride of evil men.

Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.

How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!

But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance,

therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”