Job 22
1 respondens autem Eliphaz Themanites dixit
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 numquid Deo conparari potest homo etiam cum perfectae fuerit scientiae
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 quid prodest Deo si iustus fueris aut quid ei confers si inmaculata fuerit via tua
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 numquid timens arguet te et veniet tecum in iudicium
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 et non propter malitiam tuam plurimam et infinitas iniquitates tuas
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 abstulisti enim pignus fratrum tuorum sine causa et nudos spoliasti vestibus
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 aquam lasso non dedisti et esurienti subtraxisti panem
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 in fortitudine brachii tui possidebas terram et potentissimus obtinebas eam
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 viduas dimisisti vacuas et lacertos pupillorum comminuisti
You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 propterea circumdatus es laqueis et conturbat te formido subita
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 et putabas te tenebras non visurum et impetu aquarum inundantium non oppressurum
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 an cogitas quod Deus excelsior caelo et super stellarum vertices sublimetur
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 et dicis quid enim novit Deus et quasi per caliginem iudicat
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 nubes latibulum eius nec nostra considerat et circa cardines caeli perambulat
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 numquid semitam saeculorum custodire cupis quam calcaverunt viri iniqui
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 qui sublati sunt ante tempus suum et fluvius subvertit fundamentum eorum
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 qui dicebant Deo recede a nobis et quasi nihil possit facere Omnipotens aestimabant eum
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 cum ille implesset domos eorum bonis quorum sententia procul sit a me
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 videbunt iusti et laetabuntur et innocens subsannabit eos
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 nonne succisa est erectio eorum et reliquias eorum devoravit ignis
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 adquiesce igitur ei et habeto pacem et per haec habebis fructus optimos
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 suscipe ex ore illius legem et pone sermones eius in corde tuo
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 si reversus fueris ad Omnipotentem aedificaberis et longe facies iniquitatem a tabernaculo tuo
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 dabit pro terra silicem et pro silice torrentes aureos
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 eritque Omnipotens contra hostes tuos et argentum coacervabitur tibi
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 tunc super Omnipotentem deliciis afflues et elevabis ad Deum faciem tuam
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 rogabis eum et exaudiet te et vota tua reddes
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 decernes rem et veniet tibi et in viis tuis splendebit lumen
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 qui enim humiliatus fuerit erit in gloria et qui inclinaverit oculos suos ipse salvabitur
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 salvabitur innocens salvabitur autem munditia manuum suarum
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
