Job 34:28-35:16
so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him,and he heard the cry of the afflicted— When he is quiet, who can condemn?When he hides his face, who can behold him,whether it be a nation or a man?— that a godless man should not reign,that he should not ensnare the people.
“For has anyone said to God,‘I have borne punishment; I will not offend any more; teach me what I do not see;if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’? Will he then make repayment to suit you,because you reject it?For you must choose, and not I;therefore declare what you know. Men of understanding will say to me,and the wise man who hears me will say: ‘Job speaks without knowledge;his words are without insight.’ Would that Job were tried to the end,because he answers like wicked men. For he adds rebellion to his sin;he claps his hands among usand multiplies his words against God.”
And Elihu answered and said:
“Do you think this to be just?Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’ that you ask, ‘What advantage have I?How am I better off than if I had sinned?’ I will answer youand your friends with you. Look at the heavens, and see;and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to him?Or what does he receive from your hand? Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself,and your righteousness a son of man.
“Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out;they call for help because of the arm of the mighty. But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker,who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than the beasts of the earthand makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’ There they cry out, but he does not answer,because of the pride of evil men. Surely God does not hear an empty cry,nor does the Almighty regard it. How much less when you say that you do not see him,that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him! And now, because his anger does not punish,and he does not take much note of transgression, Job opens his mouth in empty talk;he multiplies words without knowledge.”