< Job 22 >

1 And Eliphaz the Temanite answers and says: 2 “Is a man profitable to God, Because a wise man is profitable to himself? 3 Is it a delight to the Mighty One That you are righteous? Is it gain, That you make your ways perfect? 4 Because of your reverence Does He reason [with] you? He enters with you into judgment: 5 Is your wickedness not abundant? And there is no end to your iniquities. 6 For you take a pledge of your brother for nothing, And you strip off the garments of the naked. 7 You do not cause the weary to drink water, And you withhold bread from the hungry. 8 As for the man of arm—he has the earth, And the accepted of face—he dwells in it. 9 You have sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless are bruised. 10 Therefore snares [are] all around you, And sudden fear troubles you. 11 Or darkness—you do not see, And abundance of waters covers you. 12 Is God not high [in] the heavens? And see the summit of the stars, That they are high. 13 And you have said, How has God known? Does He judge through thickness? 14 Thick clouds [are] a secret place to Him, And He does not see, And He habitually walks [above] the circle of the heavens. 15 Do you observe the path of the age, That men of iniquity have trodden, 16 Who have been cut down unexpectedly? A flood is poured out on their foundation. 17 Those saying to God, Turn aside from us, And what does the Mighty One do to them? 18 And He has filled their houses [with] good (And the counsel of the wicked Has been far from me). 19 The righteous see and they rejoice, And the innocent mocks at them: 20 Surely our substance has not been cut off, And fire has consumed their excellence. 21 Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace, Thereby your increase [is] good. 22 Please receive a law from His mouth, And set His sayings in your heart. 23 If you return to the Mighty you are built up, You put iniquity far from your tents. 24 So as to set a defense on the dust, And a covering on a rock of the valleys. 25 And the Mighty has been your defense, And silver [is] strength to you. 26 For then you delight yourself on the Mighty, And lift up your face to God, 27 You make supplication to Him, And He hears you, And you complete your vows. 28 And you decree a saying, And it is established to you, And light has shone on your ways. 29 For they have made low, And you say, Lift up. And He saves the bowed down of eyes. 30 He delivers the one [who is] not innocent, Indeed, he has been delivered By the cleanness of your hands.”

< Job 22 >