Job Is Foolish to Rebel

31 “Has anyone said to God,

‘I have endured chastisement,

but I will not act wrongly any more.

32 Teach me what I cannot see.

If I have done evil, I will do so no more.’

33 Is it your opinion that God should recompense it,

because you reject this?

But you must choose, and not I,

so tell us what you know.

34 Men of understanding say to me –

any wise man listening to me says –

35 that Job speaks without knowledge

and his words are without understanding.

36 But Job will be tested to the end,

because his answers are like those of wicked men.

37 For he adds transgression to his sin;

in our midst he claps his hands,

and multiplies his words against God.”

35 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.”

36 Elihu said further:

2 “Be patient with me a little longer

and I will instruct you,

for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.

3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively,

and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.

4 For in truth, my words are not false;

it is one complete in knowledge

who is with you.

5 Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people,

he is mighty, and firm in his intent.

6 He does not allow the wicked to live,

but he gives justice to the poor.

7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous;

but with kings on the throne

he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.

8 But if they are bound in chains,

and held captive by the cords of affliction,

9 then he reveals to them what they have done,

and their transgressions,

that they were behaving proudly.

10 And he reveals this for correction,

and says that they must turn from evil.

11 If they obey and serve him,

they live out their days in prosperity

and their years in pleasantness.

12 But if they refuse to listen,

they pass over the river of death,

and expire without knowledge.

13 The godless at heart nourish anger,

they do not cry out even when he binds them.

14 They die in their youth,

and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.

15 He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions,

he reveals himself to them by their suffering.

16 And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress,

to a wide place, unrestricted,

and to the comfort of your table

filled with rich food.

17 But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked,

judgment and justice take hold of you.

18 Be careful that no one entices you with riches;

do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

19 Would your wealth sustain you,

so that you would not be in distress,

even all your mighty efforts?

20 Do not long for the cover of night

to drag people away from their homes.

21 Take heed, do not turn to evil,

for because of this you have been tested by affliction.

22 Indeed, God is exalted in his power;

who is a teacher like him?

23 Who has prescribed his ways for him?

Or said to him, ‘You have done what is wicked’?

24 Remember to extol his work,

which people have praised in song.

25 All humanity has seen it;

people gaze on it from afar.