Job 22
1 Respondens autem Eliphaz Themanites, dixit:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 Numquid Deo potest comparari homo, etiam cum perfectæ fuerit scientiæ?
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 Qui prodest Deo si iustus fueris? aut quid ei confers si immaculata 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 oppressum iri?
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 An non cogitas quod Deus excelsior cælo sit, et super stellarum verticem 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 cæli 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 sæculorum 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 posset facere Omnipotens, æstimabant 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 lætabuntur, 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 Acquiesce igitur ei, et habeto pacem: et per hæc 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, ædificaberis, 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, 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 in munditia manuum suarum.
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
