Job 34:9

Modern

For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

Traditional

For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

Literal

For he has said, ‘Nothing does it profit a man that he should delight in God.’

Latin

Dixit enim: Non placebit vir Deo, etiam si cucurrerit cum eo.

Hebrew

English

For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’

Elihu later repeated this accusation (35:3; compare Psalm 73:13; Zephaniah 1:12; Malachi 3:14). But he misrepresented Job’s words (Job 9:22–23; 21:15). Job had actually criticized those who had this perspective (21:14–16).

Job 21:14–16
Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways.
Job 35:3
For you ask, ‘What does it profit me, and what benefit do I gain apart from sin?’
Malachi 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?
Job 9:22–23
It is all the same, and so I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
Job 27:10
Will he delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?
Job 9:30–31
If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Job 22:17
They said to God, ‘Depart from us. What can the Almighty do to us?’
Job 21:30
Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath.