1 M oreover Elihu answered,

Then Elihu continued and said,

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

“Do you think this is according to justice? 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?’

“For you say, ‘ What advantage will it be to You? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’

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

“I will answer you, And your friends with you.

5 L ook to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

“ Look at the heavens and see; And behold the clouds—they 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?

“If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are many, 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?

“If you are righteous, what do you give to 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.

“Your wickedness is for a man like yourself, And your righteousness is for 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.

“Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry 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,

“But 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?’

Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth And makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’

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

“There they cry out, but He does not answer Because of the pride of evil men.

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

“Surely God will not listen to an empty cry, Nor 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!

“How much less when you say you do not behold Him, The case is before Him, and you must wait for Him!

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

“And now, because He has not visited in His anger, Nor has He acknowledged transgression well,

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

So Job opens his mouth emptily; He multiplies words without knowledge.”