1 Moreover Elihu answered and said,
2 Do you think this to be [your] right, [Or] do you say, My righteousness is more than God's,
3 That you say, What advantage will it be to you? [And], What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?
4 I will answer you, And your companions with you.
5 Look to the heavens, and see; And look at the skies, which are higher than you.
6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7 If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive of your hand?
8 Your wickedness [may hurt] a man as you are; And your righteousness [may profit] a son of man.
9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10 But none says, Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night,
11 Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?
12 There they cry, but none gives answer, Because of the pride of evil men.
13 Surely God will not hear an empty [cry], Neither will the Almighty regard it.
14 How much less when you say you don't see him, The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger, Neither does he greatly regard foolishness;
16 Therefore Job opens his mouth in vanity; He multiplies words without knowledge.