[1] Elihu continued: [2] Do you think it right? You say, “I’m more just than God.” [3] Yet you ask, “What does it benefit you? What have I gained by avoiding sin?” [4] I’ll answer you, and your friends along with you. [5] Look at the heavens and see; scan the clouds high over you. [6] If you’ve sinned, how have you affected God? Your offenses have multiplied; what have you done to him? [7] If you are righteous, what do you give to him? Or what does he receive from your hand? [8] Your evil affects others like you, and your righteousness affects fellow human beings. [9] People cry out because of heavy oppression; shout under the power of the mighty. [10] But no one says, “Where is God my maker; who gives songs in the night; [11] who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?” [12] Then they cry out; but he doesn’t answer, because of the pride of the wicked. [13] God certainly doesn’t respond to a deceitful cry; the Almighty doesn’t pay attention to it. [14] Although you say that you don’t see him, the case is before him; so wait anxiously for him. [15] Even though his anger is now held back, a person doesn’t know it’s only delayed. [16] So Job mouths emptiness; he piles up ignorant words.
