Job 35:3
1 And Elihu went on to say:
2 “Do you think this is just? You say, ‘I am more righteous than God.’
For you ask, ‘What does it profit me, and what benefit do I gain apart from sin?’
4 I will reply to you and to your friends as well.
5 Look to the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds high above you.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For you ask, ‘What does it profit me, and what benefit do I gain apart from sin?’
- KJV
- For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
- WEB
- that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’
- ASV
- That thou sayest, What advantage will it be unto thee? [And], What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?
- DARBY
- For thou hast asked of what profit it is unto thee: what do I gain more than if I had sinned?
- BLB
- Indeed you say, ‘What does it benefit You? What do I gain from my sin?”
- ÅB
- at du sier: Hva nytter det meg, hva gagn har jeg av at jeg ikke synder?
- OTB
- For du spør: ‘Hva gagn har jeg av det?
Hva vinner jeg mer enn om jeg hadde syndet?’ - B1930
- at du sier: Hvad nytter det mig, hvad gagn har jeg av at jeg ikke synder?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Job 34:9
For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
Read in contextMalachi 3:14
You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts?
Read in contextJob 9:21–22
Though I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.
Read in contextPsalms 73:13
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
Read in contextJob 31:2
For what is the allotment of God from above, or the heritage from the Almighty on high?
Read in contextJob 9:30–31
If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,
Read in contextJob 10:15
If I am guilty, woe to me! And even if I am righteous, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and aware of my affliction.
Read in contextJob 21:15
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
Read in context