Job 22
1 Så tog Temaniten Elifaz til Orde og sagde:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded and said,
2 "Gavner et Menneske Gud? Nej, den kloge gavner sig selv.
“How can anyone be of help to God? Even wise people are only helpful to themselves.
3 Har den Almægtige godt af din Retfærd, Vinding af, at din Vandel er ret?
Is it any benefit to the Almighty if you're a good person? What does he gain if you do what's right?
4 Revser han dig for din Gudsfrygt? Eller går han i Rette med dig derfor?
Does he correct you and bring charges against you because of your reverence?
5 Er ikke din Ondskab stor og din Brøde uden Ende?
No: it's because you're so wicked! Your sins are never-ending!
6 Thi du pantede Brødre uden Grund, trak Klæderne af de nøgne,
For no reason at all you took your brother's clothing as a security for a debt, and left them stripped naked.
7 gav ikke den trætte Vand at drikke og nægted den sultne Brød.
You refused water to the thirsty; you denied food to the hungry.
8 Den mægtige - hans var Landet, den hædrede boede der.
Is it because the land belongs to the powerful, and only the privileged have a right to live there?
9 Du lod Enker gå tomhændet bort, knuste de faderløses Arme.
You have sent widows away empty-handed; you have crushed the outstretched arms of orphans, begging for help.
10 Derfor var der Snaret omkring dig, og Rædsel ængsted dig brat.
That's why you're surrounded by traps to catch you, and why you suddenly panic in terror.
11 Dit Lys blev Mørke, du kan ej se, og Strømme af Vand går over dig!
That's why it's so dark you cannot see, and why you feel like you're drowning.
12 Er Gud ej i højen Himmel? Se Stjernernes Tinde, hvor højt de står!
Doesn't God live in highest heaven and looks down on even the highest stars?
13 Dog siger du: "Hvad ved Gud, holder han Dom bag sorten Sky?
But you ask, ‘What does God know? How can he see and judge what happens in down here in darkness?
14 Skyerne skjuler ham, så han ej ser, på Himlens Runding går han!"
Thick clouds cover him so he can't see anything as he walks around in heaven.’
15 Vil du følge Fortidens Sti, som Urettens Mænd betrådte,
Why do you insist on following the traditional thinking of the wicked?
16 de, som i Utide reves bort, hvis Grundvold flød bort som en Strøm,
They were taken before their time; all they had built was washed away.
17 som sagde til Gud: "Gå fra os! Hvad kan den Almægtige gøre os?"
They had told God, ‘Get lost! What can the Almighty do to us?’
18 Og han havde dog fyldt deres Huse med godt. Men de gudløses Råd er ham fjernt.
And yet he was the one who had filled their homes with good things—but I don't accept their way of thinking.
19 De retfærdige så det og glædede sig, den uskyldige spottede dem:
Those who do right rejoice when they see the destruction of the wicked, and the innocent mock them,
20 For vist, vore Fjender forgik, og Ild fortæred de sidste af dem.
saying, ‘Our enemies are destroyed, and fire has burned up all that's left of them.’
21 Bliv Ven med ham og hold Fred. derved vil der times dig Lykke;
Come back to God and be reconciled to him, and you'll be prosperous again.
22 tag dog mod Lærdom af ham og læg dig hans Ord på Sinde!
Listen to what he tells you and keep his words in mind.
23 Vender du ydmygt om til den Almægtige, fjerner du Uretten fra dit Telt,
If you return to God you will be restored. If you renounce your sinful life
24 kaster du Guldet på Jorden, Ofirguldet blandt Bækkenes Sten,
and give up your love of money and desire for possessions,
25 så den Almægtige bliver dit Guld, hans Lov dit Sølv,
then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver.
26 ja, da skal du fryde dig over den Almægtige og løfte dit Åsyn til Gud.
Then you will find delight in the Almighty, and be able to face him without feeling ashamed.
27 Beder du til ham, hører han dig, indfri kan du, hvad du har lovet;
You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will keep your promises to him.
28 hvad du sætter dig for, det lykkes, det lysner på dine Veje;
Whatever you decide to do will be successful, and wherever you go, light will shine on you.
29 thi stolte, hovmodige ydmyger han, men hjælper den, der slår Øjnene ned;
When others are humbled, and you say, ‘please help them,’ God will save them.
30 han frelser uskyldig Mand; det sker ved hans Hænders Renhed!
God saves those who are innocent, and you will be saved if you do what is right.”
