Job Chapter 35

35:1 Moreover Elihu answered,

35:2 "Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's,'

(a) Job never spoke these words: but because he maintained his innocency, it seemed as though he would say, that God tormented him without just cause.

35:3 That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'

35:4 I will answer you, and your companions with you.

35:5 Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

35:6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

(d) Neither does your sin hurt God, nor your justice profit him: for he will be glorified without you.

35:7 If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?

35:8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

35:9 "By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

(e) The wicked may hurt man and cause him to cry, who if he sought God who lends comfort would be delivered.

35:10 But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

35:11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'

35:12 There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.

35:13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.

35:14 How much less when you say you don't see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!

35:15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance.

35:16 Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge."

(h) For if he punished you as you deserved, you would not be able to open your mouth.