Job 22
1 Then Eliphaz the Thaemanite answered and said,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded and said,
2 Is it not the Lord that teaches understanding and knowledge?
“How can anyone be of help to God? Even wise people are only helpful to themselves.
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 any benefit to the Almighty if you're a good person? What does he gain if you do what's right?
4 Wilt thou maintain and plead thine own cause? and will he enter into judgment with thee?
Does he correct you and bring charges against you because of your reverence?
5 Is not thy wickedness abundant, and thy sins innumerable?
No: it's because you're so wicked! Your sins are never-ending!
6 And thou hast taken security of thy brethren for nothing, and hast taken away the clothing of the naked.
For no reason at all you took your brother's clothing as a security for a debt, and left them stripped naked.
7 Neither hast thou given water to the thirsty to drink, but hast taken away the morsel of the hungry.
You refused water to the thirsty; you denied food to the hungry.
8 And thou hast accepted the persons of some; and thou hast established those [that were already settled] on the earth.
Is it because the land belongs to the powerful, and only the privileged have a right to live there?
9 But thou hast sent widows away empty, and has afflicted orphans.
You have sent widows away empty-handed; you have crushed the outstretched arms of orphans, begging for help.
10 Therefore snares have compassed thee, and disastrous war has troubled thee.
That's why you're surrounded by traps to catch you, and why you suddenly panic in terror.
11 The light has proved darkness to thee, and water has covered thee on thy lying down.
That's why it's so dark you cannot see, and why you feel like you're drowning.
12 Does not he that dwells in the high places observe? and has he not brought down the proud?
Doesn't God live in highest heaven and looks down on even the highest stars?
13 And thou has said, What does the Mighty One know? does he judge in the dark?
But you ask, ‘What does God know? How can he see and judge what happens in down here in darkness?
14 A cloud is his hiding-place, and he shall not be seen; and he passes through the circle of heaven.
Thick clouds cover him so he can't see anything as he walks around in heaven.’
15 Wilt thou [not] mark the old way, which righteous men have trodden?
Why do you insist on following the traditional thinking of the wicked?
16 who were seized before their time: their foundations [are as] an overflowing stream.
They were taken before their time; all they had built was washed away.
17 Who say, What will the Lord do to us? or what will the Almighty bring upon us?
They had told God, ‘Get lost! What can the Almighty do to us?’
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel for the wicked is far from him.
And yet he was the one who had filled their homes with good things—but I don't accept their way of thinking.
19 The righteous have seen [it], and laughed, and the blameless one has derided [them].
Those who do right rejoice when they see the destruction of the wicked, and the innocent mock them,
20 Verily their substance has been utterly destroyed, and the fire shall devour what is left of their [property].
saying, ‘Our enemies are destroyed, and fire has burned up all that's left of them.’
21 Be firm, I pray thee, if thou canst endure; then thy fruit shall prosper.
Come back to God and be reconciled to him, and you'll be prosperous again.
22 And receive a declaration from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
Listen to what he tells you and keep his words in mind.
23 And if thou shalt turn and humble thyself before the Lord, thou hast [thus] removed unrighteousness far from thy habitation.
If you return to God you will be restored. If you renounce your sinful life
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 give up your love of money and desire for possessions,
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 Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver.
26 Then shalt thou have boldness before the Lord, looking up cheerfully to heaven.
Then you will find delight in the Almighty, and be able to face him without feeling ashamed.
27 And he shall hear thee when thou prayest to him, and he shall grant thee [power] to pay thy vows.
You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will keep your promises to him.
28 And he shall establish to thee again a habitation of righteousness and there shall be light upon thy paths.
Whatever you decide to do will be successful, and wherever you go, light will shine on you.
29 Because thou hast humbled thyself; and thou shalt say, [Man] has behaved proudly, but he shall save him that is of lowly eyes.
When others are humbled, and you say, ‘please help them,’ God will save them.
30 He shall deliver the innocent, and do thou save thyself by thy pure hands.
God saves those who are innocent, and you will be saved if you do what is right.”
