35 Then Elihu continued, saying:

2 Do you think it is just when you say,

“I am righteous before God”?

3 For you ask, “What does it profit You, n

and what benefit comes to me, if I do not sin?” o

4 I will answer you

and your friends with you.

5 Look at the heavens and see;

gaze at the clouds high above you.

6 If you sin, how does it affect God?

If you multiply your transgressions, what does it do to Him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him,

or what does He receive from your hand? p

8 Your wickedness affects a person like yourself,

and your righteousness another human being.

9 People cry out because of severe oppression;

they shout for help because of the arm of the mighty. q

10 But no one asks, “Where is God my Maker, r

who provides us with songs in the night, s

11 who gives us more understanding than the animals of the earth

and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?” t

12 There they cry out, but He does not answer,

because of the pride of evil men. u

13 Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries,

and the * Almighty does not take note of it—

14 how much less when v you complain w

that you do not see Him,

that your case x is before Him

and you are waiting y for Him.

15 But now, because God’s anger does not punish

and He does not pay attention to transgression, z

16 Job opens his mouth in vain

and multiplies words without knowledge. a