1. And Elius resumed and said,
2. What is this that thou thinkest to be according to right? who art thou that thou hast said, I am righteous before the Lord? [Alex. +’What shall I say? what shall I do, having sinned?’]
3. I will answer thee, and thy three friends.
4. Look up to the sky and see; and consider the clouds, how high they are above thee.
5. If thou hast sinned, what wilt thou do?
6. and if too thou hast transgressed much, what canst thou perform?
7. And suppose thou art righteous, what wilt thou give him? or what shall he receive of thy hand?
8. Thy ungodliness may affect a man who is like to thee; or thy righteousness a son of man.
9. They that are [That is, by false accusation] oppressed of a multitude will be ready to cry out; they will call for help because of the arm of many.
10. But none said, Where is God that made me, who appoints the night-watches;
11. who makes me to differ from the four-footed beasts of the earth, and from the birds of the sky?
12. There they shall cry, and none shall hearken, even because of the insolence of wicked men.
13. For the Lord desires not to look on [Lit. improprieties] error, for he is the Almighty One.
14. He [Gr. is the beholder of] beholds them that perform lawless deeds, and he will save me: and do thou plead before him, if thou canst praise him, as it is possible even now.
15. For [i. e., God] he is not now regarding his wrath, nor has he noticed severely any trespass.
16. Yet Job vainly opens his mouth, in ignorance he [Gr. makes heavy] multiplies words.