Job 35

Chapter 35

Elihu Reminds Job of God’s Justice

1 Then Elihu said:
2 “Do you think it is right for you to claim,
‘I am righteous before God’?3 For you also ask, ‘What’s in it for me?
What’s the use of living a righteous life?’4 “I will answer you
and all your friends, too.5 Look up into the sky,
and see the clouds high above you.6 If you sin, how does that affect God?
Even if you sin again and again,
what effect will it have on him?7 If you are good, is this some great gift to him?
What could you possibly give him?8 No, your sins affect only people like yourself,
and your good deeds also affect only humans.9 “People cry out when they are oppressed.
They groan beneath the power of the mighty.10 Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator,
the one who gives songs in the night?11 Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals
and wiser than the birds of the sky?’12 And when they cry out, God does not answer
because of their pride.13 But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen,
to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.14 You say you can’t see him,
but he will bring justice if you will only wait.t15 You say he does not respond to sinners with anger
and is not greatly concerned about wickedness.t16 But you are talking nonsense, Job.
You have spoken like a fool.”

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.