Job 22
1 Then Eliphaz the Thaemanite answered and said,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 Is it not the Lord that teaches understanding and knowledge?
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 For what matters it to the Lord, if thou wert blameless in [thy] works? or is it profitable that thou shouldest perfect thy way?
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 Wilt thou maintain and plead thine own cause? and will he enter into judgment with thee?
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 Is not thy wickedness abundant, and thy sins innumerable?
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 And thou hast taken security of thy brethren for nothing, and hast taken away the clothing of the naked.
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 Neither hast thou given water to the thirsty to drink, but hast taken away the morsel of the hungry.
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 And thou hast accepted the persons of some; and thou hast established those [that were already settled] on the earth.
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 But thou hast sent widows away empty, and has afflicted orphans.
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 have compassed thee, and disastrous war has troubled thee.
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 The light has proved darkness to thee, and water has covered thee on thy lying down.
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 Does not he that dwells in the high places observe? and has he not brought down the proud?
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 And thou has said, What does the Mighty One know? does he judge in the dark?
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 A cloud is his hiding-place, and he shall not be seen; and he passes through the circle of heaven.
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 Wilt thou [not] mark the old way, which righteous men have trodden?
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 who were seized before their time: their foundations [are as] an overflowing stream.
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 Who say, What will the Lord do to us? or what will the Almighty bring upon us?
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel for the wicked is far from him.
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 The righteous have seen [it], and laughed, and the blameless one has derided [them].
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 Verily their substance has been utterly destroyed, and the fire shall devour what is left of their [property].
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 Be firm, I pray thee, if thou canst endure; then thy fruit shall prosper.
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 And receive a declaration from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 And if thou shalt turn and humble thyself before the Lord, thou hast [thus] removed unrighteousness far from thy habitation.
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 Thou shalt lay up for thyself [treasure] in a heap on the rock; and Sophir [shall be] as the rock of the torrent.
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 So the Almighty shall be thy helper from enemies, and he shall bring thee forth pure as silver that has been tried by fire.
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 Then shalt thou have boldness before the Lord, looking up cheerfully to heaven.
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 And he shall hear thee when thou prayest to him, and he shall grant thee [power] to pay thy vows.
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 And he shall establish to thee again a habitation of righteousness and there shall be light upon thy paths.
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 Because thou hast humbled thyself; and thou shalt say, [Man] has behaved proudly, but he shall save him that is of lowly eyes.
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 He shall deliver the innocent, and do thou save thyself by thy pure hands.
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
