KJV ORIGINAL
Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Your wickedness can only hurt other people like yourself, and your righteousness can only benefit other human beings.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that our good and bad actions primarily affect other people, not God himself.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Job, Elihu is addressing Job, who is enduring great suffering and questioning God's justice despite his own righteousness. Elihu argues that human actions, such as wickedness or righteousness, have consequences that extend beyond the individual to affect others in the community. This reflects the wisdom literature of ancient Israel, which often explored how personal behavior influences societal well-being.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.
Share or Save