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