2Do you think it is just when you say,
“I am righteous before God”?
3For you ask, “What does it profit you,A
and what benefit comes to me, if I do not sin? ”a
4I will answer you
and your friends with you.
5Look at the heavens and see;
gaze at the clouds high above you.
6If you sin, how does it affect God?
If you multiply your transgressions, what does it do to him?
7If you are righteous, what do you give him,
or what does he receive from your hand?a
8Your wickedness affects a person like yourself,
and your righteousness, a son of man.A
9People cry out because of severe oppression;
they shout for help because of the power of the mighty.a
10But no one asks, “Where is God my Maker,a
who provides us with songs in the night,b
11who gives us more understanding than the animals of the earth
and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky? ”a
12There they cry out, but he does not answer,
because of the pride of evil people.a
13Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries,
and the Almighty does not take note of it —
14how much less whenA you complainB
that you do not see him,
that your casea is before him
and you are waitingb for him.
15But now, because God’s anger does not punish
and he does not pay attention to transgression,A
16Job opens his mouth in vain
and multiplies words without knowledge.a
