Job 35:1-9

1 Then Elihu said:

2 “Do you think it is right for you to claim, ‘I am righteous before God’?

3 For you also ask, ‘What’s in it for me? What’s the use of living a righteous life?’

4 “I will answer you and all your friends, too.

5 Look up into the sky, and see the clouds high above you.

6 If you sin, how does that affect God? Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on him?

7 If you are good, is this some great gift to him? What could you possibly give him?

8 No, your sins affect only people like yourself, and your good deeds also affect only humans.

9 “People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty.

Job 35:1-9 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.