[1] Elihu continued to speak to Job and his friends, [2] "Do you think this is right when you say, 'My case is more just than God's,' [3] when you ask, 'What benefit is it to you?' and, 'What would I gain by sinning?' [4] I will answer you and your friends. [5] "Look at the heavens and see. Observe the clouds high above you. [6] If you've sinned, what effect can you have on God? If you've done many wrongs, what can you do to him? [7] If you're righteous, what can you give him, or what can he get from you? [8] Your wickedness affects only someone like yourself. Your righteousness affects only the descendants of Adam. [9] The weight of oppression makes them cry out. The power of mighty people makes them call for help. [10] But no one asks, 'Where is God, my Creator, who inspires songs in the night, [11] who teaches us more than he teaches the animals of the earth, who makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?' [12] Then they cry out, but he doesn't answer them because of the arrogance of those evil people. [13] "Surely, God doesn't listen to idle complaints. The Almighty doesn't even pay attention to them. [14] Although you say that you pay attention to him, your case is in front of him, but you'll have to wait for him. [15] And now you say that his anger doesn't punish anyone and he isn't too concerned about evil. [16] Job opens his mouth for no good reason and talks a lot without having any knowledge."
