Hiob 35 | New International Reader’s Version

1 Elihu continued, 2 ‘Job, do you think it’s fair for you to say, “I am the one who is right, not God”? 3 You ask him, “What good is it for me not to sin? What do I get by not sinning?” 4 ‘I’d like to reply to you and to your friends who are with you. 5 Look up at the heavens. Observe the clouds that are high above you. 6 If you sin, what does that mean to God? If you sin many times, what does that do to him? 7 If you do what is right, how does that help him? What does he get from you? 8 The evil things you do only hurt people like yourself. The right things you do only help other human beings. 9 ‘People cry out when they are treated badly. They beg to be set free from the power of those who are over them. 10 But no one says, “Where is the God who made me? He gives us songs even during the night. 11 He teaches us more than he teaches the wild animals. He makes us wiser than the birds in the sky.” 12 He doesn’t answer sinful people when they cry out to him. That’s because they are so proud. 13 In fact, God doesn’t listen to their empty cries. The Mighty One doesn’t pay any attention to them. 14 So he certainly won’t listen to you. When you say you don’t see him, he won’t hear you. He won’t listen when you state your case to him. He won’t pay attention even if you wait for him. 15 When you say his anger never punishes sin, he won’t hear you. He won’t listen when you say he doesn’t pay any attention to evil. 16 So you say things that don’t mean anything. You use a lot of words, but you don’t know what you are talking about.’

English Standard Version

Elihu Condemns Job

1 And Elihu answered and said: 2 “Do you think this to be just? Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’ 3 that you ask, ‘What advantage have I? How am I better off than if I had sinned?’ 4 I will answer you and your friends with you. 5 Look at the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. 6 If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? 7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand? 8 Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself, and your righteousness a son of man. 9 “Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.* 10 But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, 11 who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’ 12 There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil men. 13 Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it. 14 How much less when you say that you do not see him, that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him! 15 And now, because his anger does not punish, and he does not take much note of transgression,* 16 Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge.”

Hiob 35 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

Elihu Condemns Job