| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Then Elihu answered: | 1In response, Elihu said: |
| 2"Do you think this to be just: when you say, 'My right before God.' | 2"Are you saying that it's just for you to claim, 'I'm more righteous than God?' |
| 3But you say, 'What will it profit you,' and, 'What do I gain by not sinning?' | 3After all, you've asked what your benefit will be: 'What will I profit from refraining from sin?' |
| 4I will reply to you, and to your friends with you. | 4I'm going to respond to that statement, and to your friends with you." |
| 5Gaze at the heavens and see; consider the clouds, which are higher than you! | 5"Observe the heavens! Take a look around! Look! The clouds are higher than you, aren't they? |
| 6If you sin, how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to him? | 6If you sin, what will that do to harm him? If you add transgression to transgression what will it do to him? |
| 7If you are righteous, what do you give to God, or what does he receive from your hand? | 7If you are righteous, what will you add to him? What can God receive from your efforts? |
| 8Your wickedness affects only a person like yourself, and your righteousness only other people. | 8Your wickedness affects only yourself; and your righteousness, only human beings. |
| 9"People cry out because of the excess of oppression; they cry out for help because of the power of the mighty. | 9"They cry out because they have many oppressors; they cry for help because the powerful are abusing them. |
| 10But no one says, 'Where is God, my Creator, who gives songs in the night, | 10He never asks, 'Where is God, my Creator, who gives me songs in the night, |
| 11who teaches us more than the wild animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?' | 11who teaches us more than the earth's wild animals, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?' |
| 12Then they cry out--but he does not answer--because of the arrogance of the wicked. | 12"They cry out there, but he doesn't answer because of the arrogance of those who practice evil. |
| 13Surely it is an empty cry--God does not hear it; the Almighty does not take notice of it. | 13Theirs is a useless plea— God won't listen; the Almighty won't pay any attention. |
| 14How much less, then, when you say that you do not perceive him, that the case is before him and you are waiting for him! | 14Even though you complain that you can't perceive him, your case is already pending for judgment in his presence so keep on placing your hope in him. |
| 15And further, when you say that his anger does not punish, and that he does not know transgression! | 15"So now, if he doesn't inflict punishment in his anger, then he doesn't keep track of your many transgressions. |
| 16So Job opens his mouth to no purpose; without knowledge he multiplies words." | 16When he began speaking, he communicated only worthlessness; he added words upon words without knowing anything." |
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