[1] 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, and what benefit comes to me, if I do not sin?" [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? [8] Your wickedness affects a person like yourself, and your righteousness, a son of man. [9] People cry out because of severe oppression; they shout for help because of the power of the mighty. [10] But no one asks, "Where is God my Maker, who provides us with songs in the night, [11] who gives us more understanding than the animals of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?" [12] There they cry out, but he does not answer, because of the pride of evil people. [13] Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries, and the Almighty does not take note of it- [14] how much less when you complain that you do not see him, that your case is before him and you are waiting for him. [15] But now, because God's anger does not punish and he does not pay attention to transgression, [16] Job opens his mouth in vain and multiplies words without knowledge.
