Job 22
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 “Can a man be useful to God? Can a wise man be useful to him?
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 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous? Is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?
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 Is it because of your reverence for him that he rebukes you and takes you to judgment?
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 Is not your wickedness great? Is there no end to your iniquities?
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 For you have demanded guarantee of a loan from your brother for no reason, and you have stripped away clothing from the naked.
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 You have not given water to weary people to drink; you have withheld bread from hungry people
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 although you, a mighty man, possessed the earth, although you, an honored man, lived in it.
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 You have sent widows away empty; the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 Therefore, snares are all around you, and sudden fear troubles you.
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 There is darkness, so that you cannot see; an abundance of waters covers you.
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 Is not God in the heights of heaven? Look at the height of the stars, how high they are!
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 You say, 'What does God know? Can he judge through the thick darkness?
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he does not see us; he walks on the vault of heaven.'
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 Will you keep the old way that wicked men have walked—
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 those who were snatched away before their time, those whose foundations have washed away like a river,
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 those who said to God, 'Depart from us'; those who said, 'What can the Almighty do to us?'
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things; the plans of wicked people are far from me.
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 Righteous people see their fate and are glad; innocent people laugh them to scorn.
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 They say, 'Surely those who rose up against us are cut off; fire has consumed their possessions.'
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 Now agree with God and be at peace with him; in that way, good will come to you.
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 Receive, I beg you, instruction from his mouth; store up his words in your heart.
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up, if you put unrighteousness far away from your tents.
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 Lay your treasure down in the dust, the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 and the Almighty will be your treasure, precious silver to you.
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 For then you will take pleasure in the Almighty; you will lift up your face to God.
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you; you will pay your vows to him.
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 You will also decree anything, and it will be confirmed for you; light will shine on your paths.
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 God humbles a proud man, and he saves the one with lowered eyes.
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 He will rescue even the man who is not innocent; who will be rescued through the cleanness of your hands.”
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
