Job 35:1-13 ▼

1 In response, Elihu said:

2 |Are you saying that it's just for you to claim, 'I'm more righteous than God?'

3 After all, you've asked what your benefit will be: 'What will I profit from refraining from sin?'

4 I'm going to respond to that statement, and to your friends with you.|

5 |Observe the heavens! Take a look around! Look! The clouds are higher than you, aren't they?

6 If you sin, what will that do to harm him? If you add transgression to transgression what will it do to him?

7 If you are righteous, what will you add to him? What can God receive from your efforts?

8 Your wickedness affects only yourself; and your righteousness, only human beings.

9 |They cry out because they have many oppressors; they cry for help because the powerful are abusing them.

10 He never asks, 'Where is God, my Creator, who gives me songs in the night,

11 who teaches us more than the earth's wild animals, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'

12 |They cry out there, but he doesn't answer because of the arrogance of those who practice evil.

13 Theirs is a useless plea— God won't listen; the Almighty won't pay any attention.