Job 35:8

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only a son of man.

American Standard Version (1901)

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; And thy righteousness may profit a son of man.

Bible in Basic English

Your evil-doing may have an effect on a man like yourself, or your righteousness on a son of man.

Free Bible Version

No—your sins only affect people like yourself, and whatever good you do only affects them too.

King James (Authorized) Version

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

Translation for Translators

It is other people who suffer because of the wicked things that you do, but by doing good things for people, you help them.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Your wickedness may hurt a man, as you are a man, and your righteousness might benefit another son of man.

Noah Webster Bible

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art : and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

World English Bible

Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

Young's Literal Translation

For a man like thyself [is] thy wickedness, And for a son of man thy righteousness.

Context

Elihu Recalls God’s Justice

⁷If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand? ⁸Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only a son of man.

Summary

Elihu, in his discourse with Job, points out that a person's righteousness or sinfulness does not affect God in any way. He explains that when we sin, we do not add or subtract anything from God's greatness. This verse serves as a reminder that our actions, whether good or bad, do not impact God's sovereignty or diminish His glory. It highlights the infinite nature of God's perfection and power, emphasizing that He remains unchanged and unaffected by human behavior.

Commentary

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Thy wickedness may hurt - It is better to translate this literally: To a man like thyself is thy wickedness: And to the son of man, thy righteousness: That is: - Thou mayest injure thyself and others by thy wickedness, And thou mayest benefit both by thy righteousness; But God thou canst neither hurt nor profit.