| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Then Elihu continued, saying: | 1In response, Elihu said: |
| 2Do you think it is just when you say, "I am righteous before God"? | 2"Are you saying that it's just for you to claim, 'I'm more righteous than God?' |
| 3For you ask, "What does it profit You, and what benefit comes to me, if I do not sin?" | 3After all, you've asked what your benefit will be: 'What will I profit from refraining from sin?' |
| 4I will answer you and your friends with you. | 4I'm going to respond to that statement, and to your friends with you." |
| 5Look at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds high above you. | 5"Observe the heavens! Take a look around! Look! The clouds are higher than you, aren't they? |
| 6If you sin, how does it affect God? If you multiply your transgressions, what does it do to Him? | 6If you sin, what will that do to harm him? If you add transgression to transgression what will it do to him? |
| 7If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand? | 7If you are righteous, what will you add to him? What can God receive from your efforts? |
| 8Your wickedness affects a person like yourself, and your righteousness another human being. | 8Your wickedness affects only yourself; and your righteousness, only human beings. |
| 9People cry out because of severe oppression; they shout for help because of the arm of the mighty. | 9"They cry out because they have many oppressors; they cry for help because the powerful are abusing them. |
| 10But no one asks, "Where is God my Maker, who provides us with songs in the night, | 10He never asks, 'Where is God, my Creator, who gives me songs in the night, |
| 11who gives us more understanding than the animals of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?" | 11who teaches us more than the earth's wild animals, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?' |
| 12There they cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men. | 12"They cry out there, but he doesn't answer because of the arrogance of those who practice evil. |
| 13Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries, and the Almighty does not take note of it-- | 13Theirs is a useless plea— God won't listen; the Almighty won't pay any attention. |
| 14how much less when you complain that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you are waiting for Him. | 14Even though you complain that you can't perceive him, your case is already pending for judgment in his presence so keep on placing your hope in him. |
| 15But now, because God's anger does not punish and He does not pay attention to transgression, | 15"So now, if he doesn't inflict punishment in his anger, then he doesn't keep track of your many transgressions. |
| 16Job opens his mouth in vain and multiplies words without knowledge. | 16When he began speaking, he communicated only worthlessness; he added words upon words without knowing anything." |
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