Job 35

Job still keeps silence, notwithstanding that Elihu had made the harshest construction of his words; because he was sensible he meant him well, and had now,in the conclusion of his discourse, given him very wholesome counsel; and, allowing his integrity, had only charged him with some unhappy expressions, which had fallen from him when he was in great anguish of spirit. Which, I suppose, was the reason he doth not contradict him, though he continue here in this chapter to fasten the very same harsh sense upon his words, ver. 2, 3. which he refutes from the consideration of the infinite disproportion there is between man and God: who is never the worse, indeed, for any evil, nor at all the better for any good that we do; and yet hath such a love to’mankind, that it is certain he would not have them miserable, but takes care for their relief when they are op- * pressed, if they address themselves, as they ought, to him. *

Job 35:1

JLjLIHU spake moreover, and said. To this Job making no answer, Elihu pressed him again, and said,

Job 35:2

Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?. Let me appeal to thy own conscience: Dost thou think this to be right, that thou saidst God is not so righteous as I am?

Job 35:3

For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have if I. be cleansed from my sin?. What else could be thy meaning, when thou utteredst such words as these, What doth God care whether I be innocent or not? or what benefit shall I have by it if 1 be?

Job 35:4

I will anstver thee, and thy companions with thee. I will answer thee, and such as thou art, in a few words.*

Job 35:5

Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds, which are higher than thou. Cast up thine eyes to the heavens, look upon the clouds and the sky, and consider, that as high as they are, they are not so much above thee as God is above them. Ver. C. If thou sinnest, What doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?] And therefore it is true, that he is never the worse for the sins which thou hast committed, nor will be the worse, though thou should proceed to commit more and greater:

Job 35:7

If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?. And that he is never the better for thy being righteous, which can confer nothing upon him which he hath not already, nor add any thing to his greatness.

Job 35:8

Thy ivickedness may hurt a man as thou art, and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. But thou shouldest not conclude from thence, that it is all one whether a man be good or bad: for thy wickedness will prove hurtful to thyself, and to the rest of mankind; • and thy righteousness will do thee and them great service.

Job 35:9

By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry; they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. The cries of the oppressed tell us what mischief injustice doth, and how miserable it makes them: the tyranny of the mighty forces them to cry aloud to God