1 M oreover Elihu answered and said:

2 “ Do you think this is right? Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?

3 F or you say, ‘What advantage will it be to You? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’

4 “ I will answer you, And your companions with you.

5 L ook to the heavens and see; And behold the clouds— They are higher than you.

6 I f you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? Or, if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him?

7 I f you are righteous, what do you give Him? Or what does He receive from your hand?

8 Y our wickedness affects a man such as you, And your righteousness a son of man.

9 “ Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty.

10 B ut no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night,

11 W ho teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’

12 T here they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men.

13 S urely God will not listen to empty talk, Nor will the Almighty regard it.

14 A lthough you say you do not see Him, Yet justice is before Him, and you must wait for Him.

15 A nd now, because He has not punished in His anger, Nor taken much notice of folly,

16 T herefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge.”