Job 22
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 “Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?
Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.
3 Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless?
Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?
4 Is it for your reverence that He rebukes you and enters into judgment against you?
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless?
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 For you needlessly demanded security from your brothers and deprived the naked of their clothing.
For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it.
7 You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 while the land belonged to a mighty man, and a man of honor lived on it.
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 You sent widows away empty-handed, and the strength of the fatherless was crushed.
You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 Therefore snares surround you, and sudden peril terrifies you;
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 Is not God as high as the heavens? Look at the highest stars, how lofty they are!
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness?
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 Will you stay on the ancient path that wicked men have trod?
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 They were snatched away before their time, and their foundations were swept away by a flood.
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 They said to God, ‘Depart from us. What can the Almighty do to us?’
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 But it was He who filled their houses with good things; so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 The righteous see it and are glad; the innocent mock them:
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 ‘Surely our foes are destroyed, and fire has consumed their excess.’
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 Reconcile now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you.
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 Receive instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored. If you remove injustice from your tents
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 and consign your gold to the dust and the gold of Ophir to the stones of the ravines,
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 then the Almighty will be your gold and the finest silver for you.
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 Surely then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 Your decisions will be carried out, and light will shine on your ways.
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then He will save the lowly.
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 He will deliver even one who is not innocent, rescuing him through the cleanness of your hands.”
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
