Job 35

Elihu Condemns Self-Righteousness

1 Moreover Elihu answered and said: Moreover Elihu answered and said:2 Do you think this is right? Do you say, My righteousness is more than Gods?3 For you say, What advantage will it be to You? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?4 I will answer you, And your companions with you.5 Look to the heavens and see; And behold the clouds They are higher than you.6 If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? Or, if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him?7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him? Or what does He receive from your hand?8 Your wickedness affects a man such as you, And your righteousness a son of man.9 Because 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, 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 birds of heaven?12 There they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men.13 Surely God will not listen to empty talk, Nor will the Almighty regard it.14 Although you say you do not see Him, Yet justice is before Him, and you must wait for Him.15 And now, because He has not punished in His anger, Nor taken much notice of folly,16 Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge.

JOB 35

Elihu Continues

Are You Really Innocent?

1 Elihu said:

2 Job, are you really innocent
in the sight of God?t

3 Don't you honestly believe
it pays to obey him?

4 I will give the answers
to you and your friends.
*

5 Look up to the heavens

6  t and think!
Do your sins hurt God?

7 Is any good you may have done
at all helpful to him?

8 The evil or good you do
only affects other humans.

9 In times of trouble,
everyone begs the mighty God
to have mercy.

10 But after their Creator
helps them through hard times,
they forget about him,

11 though he makes us wiser
than animals or birds.

12 God won't listen to the prayers
of proud and evil people.

13 If God All-Powerful refuses
to answer their empty prayers,

14 he will surely deny
your impatient request
to face him in court.

15 Job, you were wrong to say
God doesn't punish sin.

16 Everything you have said
adds up to nonsense.