[1] Then Elihu said: [2] "Do you think it is right for you to claim, 'I am righteous before God'? [3] For you also ask, 'What's in it for me? What's the use of living a righteous life?' [4] "I will answer you and all your friends, too. [5] Look up into the sky, and see the clouds high above you. [6] If you sin, how does that affect God? Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on him? [7] If you are good, is this some great gift to him? What could you possibly give him? [8] No, your sins affect only people like yourself, and your good deeds also affect only humans. [9] "People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty. [10] Yet they don't ask, 'Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night? [11] Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals and wiser than the birds of the sky?' [12] And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride. [13] But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen, to say the Almighty isn't concerned. [14] You say you can't see him, but he will bring justice if you will only wait. [15] You say he does not respond to sinners with anger and is not greatly concerned about wickedness. [16] But you are talking nonsense, Job. You have spoken like a fool."
