Job

The book of Job, chapter 35, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 35 New English Translation

Elihu's Third Speech

   1 Then Elihu answered:
   2 "Do you think this to be just: when you say, 'My right before God.'
   3 But you say, 'What will it profit you,' and, 'What do I gain by not sinning?'
   4 I will reply to you, and to your friends with you.
   5 Gaze at the heavens and see; consider the clouds, which are higher than you!
   6 If you sin, how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to him?
   7 If you are righteous, what do you give to God, or what does he receive from your hand?
   8 Your wickedness affects only a person like yourself, and your righteousness only other people.
   9 "People cry out because of the excess of oppression; they cry out for help because of the power of the mighty.
   10 But no one says, 'Where is God, my Creator, who gives songs in the night,
   11 who teaches us more than the wild animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'
   12 Then they cry out - but he does not answer - because of the arrogance of the wicked.
   13 Surely it is an empty cry - God does not hear it; the Almighty does not take notice of it.
   14 How much less, then, when you say that you do not perceive him, that the case is before him and you are waiting for him!
   15 And further, when you say that his anger does not punish, and that he does not know transgression!
   16 So Job opens his mouth to no purpose; without knowledge he multiplies words."

King James Version

   1 Elihu spake moreover, and said,
   2 Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?
   3 For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
   4 I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
   5 Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
   6 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
   7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
   8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
   9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
   10 But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
   11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
   12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
   13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
   14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
   15 But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
   16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.