Job 35:1-11

1 Elihu continued to speak [to Job and his friends],

2 "Do you think this is right when you say, 'My case is more just than God's,'

3 when you ask, 'What benefit is it to you?' and, 'What would I gain by sinning?'

4 I will answer you and your friends.

5 "Look at the heavens and see. Observe the clouds high above you.

6 If you've sinned, what effect can you have on God? If you've done many wrongs, what can you do to him?

7 If you're righteous, what can you give him, or what can he get from you?

8 Your wickedness affects only someone like yourself. Your righteousness affects only the descendants of Adam.

9 The weight of oppression makes them cry out. The power of mighty people makes them call for help.

10 But no one asks, 'Where is God, my Creator, who inspires songs in the night,

11 who teaches us more than he teaches the animals of the earth, who makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?'

Job 35:1-11 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.