13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it.
13 Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it.
13 There's nothing behind such prayers except panic; the Almighty pays them no mind.
13 Surely God will not listen to empty talk, Nor will the Almighty regard it.
13 But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen, to say the Almighty isn't concerned.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 35:13
Commentary on Job 35:9-13
(Read Job 35:9-13)
Job complained that God did not regard the cries of the oppressed against their oppressors. This he knew not how to reconcile the justice of God and his government. Elihu solves the difficulty. Men do not notice the mercies they enjoy in and under their afflictions, nor are thankful for them, therefore they cannot expect that God should deliver them out of affliction. He gives songs in the night; when our condition is dark and melancholy, there is that in God's providence and promise, which is sufficient to support us, and to enable us even to rejoice in tribulation. When we only pore upon our afflictions, and neglect the consolations of God which are treasured up for us, it is just in God to reject our prayers. Even the things that will kill the body, cannot hurt the soul. If we cry to God for the removal of an affliction, and it is not removed, the reason is, not because the Lord's hand is shortened, or his ear heavy; but because we are not sufficiently humbled.