Job 35:3-13

3 For thou saidst, What advantage will it be to thee? [and], What profit shall I have, [if I be cleansed] from my sin?

4 I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

5 Look to the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds [which] are higher than thou.

6 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or [if] thy transgressions are multiplied, what doest thou to him?

7 If thou art righteous, what givest thou to him? or what receiveth he from thy hand?

8 Thy wickedness [may hurt] a man as thou [art]: and thy righteousness [may profit] the son of man.

9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make [the oppressed] to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

10 But none saith, Where [is] God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.

13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

Job 35:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 35

Is this chapter Elihu goes on to charge Job with other unbecoming speeches, which he undertakes to refute; as that he had represented his cause more just than God's, and religion and righteousness as things unprofitable to men, only to God; to which Elihu takes upon him to make answer, Job 35:1-8; and that the cries of the oppressed were not heard by the Lord, so as to give occasion to songs of praise and thankfulness, to which he replies, Job 35:9-13; and that Job had expressed diffidence and despair of ever seeing and enjoying the favour of God, which he endeavours to remove, Job 35:14-16.