Old Testament · Job

Job 35

Elihu Recalls God’s Justice

1And Elihu answered and said:

2"Do you reckon this for judgment^a? You said, 'My righteousness is more than God's.'
3For you say, 'What does it benefit you? What do I gain, more than from my sin?'
4I will return you words, and your companions with you.
5Look at the heavens and see; and behold the skies, they are higher than you.
6If you have sinned, what do you do against him? And if your transgressions are many, what do you do to him?
7If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he take from your hand?
8Your wickedness is for a man^b like you, and your righteousness for a son of man^c.
9From the multitude of oppressions they cry out; they cry for help from the arm of the mighty.
10But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night;
11who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?'
12There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of the evil ones.
13Surely God does not hear emptiness, and Shaddai does not regard it.
14How much more when you say you do not behold him! The judgment^d is before him, so wait for him.
15And now, because his anger has not punished, and he has not greatly regarded arrogance—
16then Job opens his mouth in vanity; without knowledge he multiplies words."