1 M oreover Elihu answered,

2 “ Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’

3 T hat you ask, ‘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. See the skies, which are higher than you.

6 I f you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? 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 may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

9 “ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason 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 animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’

12 T here they cry, but no one gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.

13 S urely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.

14 H ow much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!

15 B ut now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance.

16 T herefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”