The Book of Job

Moreover Eliu spoke these words:

Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God?

For thou saidst: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?

Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.

Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.

If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? and if thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him?

And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?

Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.

By reason of the multitude of oppressions they shall cry out: and shall wail for the violence of the arm of tyrants.

And he hath not said: Where is God, who made me, who hath given songs in the night?

Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and instructeth us more than the fowls of the air.

There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men.

God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.

Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him.

For he doth not now bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.

Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.

Moreover Elihu answered,

“Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’

that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’

I will answer you, and your companions with you.

Look to the skies, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?

Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

“By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’

There they cry, but no one answers, because of the pride of evil men.

Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.

How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!

But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance,

therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”