| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1Then Elihu answered: | 1Then Elihu said: |
| 2"Do you think this to be just: when you say, 'My right before God.' | 2"Do you think this is just? You say, 'I am in the right, not God.' |
| 3But you say, 'What will it profit you,' and, 'What do I gain by not sinning?' | 3Yet you ask him, 'What profit is it to me, and what do I gain by not sinning?' |
| 4I will reply to you, and to your friends with you. | 4"I would like to reply to you and to your friends with you. |
| 5Gaze at the heavens and see; consider the clouds, which are higher than you! | 5Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you. |
| 6If you sin, how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to him? | 6If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him? |
| 7If you are righteous, what do you give to God, or what does he receive from your hand? | 7If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand? |
| 8Your wickedness affects only a person like yourself, and your righteousness only other people. | 8Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself, and your righteousness only other people. |
| 9"People cry out because of the excess of oppression; they cry out for help because of the power of the mighty. | 9"People cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. |
| 10But no one says, 'Where is God, my Creator, who gives songs in the night, | 10But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, |
| 11who teaches us more than the wild animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?' | 11who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?' |
| 12Then they cry out--but he does not answer--because of the arrogance of the wicked. | 12He does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. |
| 13Surely it is an empty cry--God does not hear it; the Almighty does not take notice of it. | 13Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it. |
| 14How much less, then, when you say that you do not perceive him, that the case is before him and you are waiting for him! | 14How much less, then, will he listen when you say that you do not see him, that your case is before him and you must wait for him, |
| 15And further, when you say that his anger does not punish, and that he does not know transgression! | 15and further, that his anger never punishes and he does not take the least notice of wickedness. |
| 16So Job opens his mouth to no purpose; without knowledge he multiplies words." | 16So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words." |
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