Job 35:1-10

1 Elihu went on to say:

2 "Are you so convinced you are right, that you say, 'I am more just than God'?

3 For you ask what advantage it is to you, 'How do I gain from not sinning?'

4 "Here is my answer to you, to you and to your friends:

5 Look at the heavens and see; observe the skies, high above you.

6 If you sin, how do you hurt him? If your crimes are many, how do you affect him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give him? What benefit does he get from you?

8 Your wickedness can affect only others like you, and your righteousness only other human beings.

9 People cry out from under many oppressions; they cry for help from under the fist of the mighty.

10 But no one asks, 'Where is God my maker, who causes glad songs to ring out at night,

Job 35:1-10 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.