Job 22
1 Or Eliphaz le Thémanite reprenant dit:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 N'est-ce point le Seigneur qui distribue l'intelligence et le savoir?
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 Qu'importe au Seigneur que tu aies été irréprochable en tes œuvres? Qu'a- t-il besoin de l'innocence de tes voies?
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 Est-ce que tes arguments le convaincront? est-ce qu'il viendra à toi en jugement?
Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 Ta méchanceté n'est-elle pas immense? tes péchés ne sont-ils pas innombrables?
Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 Tu as mal à propos exigé des gages de tes frères; tu as dépouillé de leurs vêtements des nus.
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 Tu n'as point abreuvé d'eau ceux qui avaient soif; tu as refusé une bouchée à ceux qui avaient faim.
You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 Tu as eu égard à la grandeur; tu as hébergé les puissants de la terre.
For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 Tu as renvoyé vides les veuves; tu as maltraité les orphelins.
You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 Voilà pourquoi des filets t'enveloppent et tu as à soutenir une guerre imprévue.
For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 Ta lumière s'est changée en ténèbres, et, tandis que tu étais couché, l'eau t'a submergé.
Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 Celui qui réside au plus haut des cieux ne surveille-t-il plus? N'a-t-il pas toujours humilié les superbes?
Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 Et tu avais dit: Que fait le Tout-Puissant? Est-ce qu'il peut juger au milieu des ténèbres?
And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 Une nuée le cache et nul ne le verra; et il parcourt le cercle du ciel.
Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 Ne seras-tu pas attentif à suivre le sentier éternel qu'ont foulé les justes?
Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 Ceux qui s'en sont écartés ont été pris; ils appuient leurs fondations sur le courant d'un fleuve.
Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 Des gens disent: Que nous fera le Seigneur? Quel mal le Tout-Puissant nous enverra-t-il?
Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 Et c'est Lui qui a comblé de biens leurs maisons; et la volonté des impies s'est détournée de Dieu.
Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 Les justes en les voyant ont ri; l'innocent les a raillés,
The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 Jusqu'à ce que leur fortune se soit évanouie et que le feu ait dévoré leur restes.
Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 Tu t'es endurci: si tu persistes, les bons récolteront tes fruits.
Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 Recueille ce que te révélera sa bouche; fais entrer ses paroles en ton cœur.
Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 Si tu te convertis, si tu te fais humble devant le Seigneur, tu auras chassé l'iniquité de ta maison.
If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 Alors il changera les cailloux de tes champs en pierres précieuses comme celles du torrent d'Ophir.
And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 Le Tout-Puissant sera ton auxiliaire contre tes ennemis; il te rendra pur comme l'argent récemment fondu.
Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 Enfin, après t'être exprimé franchement devant le Seigneur, tu seras pénétré de joie en regardant le ciel.
For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 Dès que tu l'auras prié, il t'exaucera et il fera en sorte que tu puisses accomplir tes vœux.
You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 Il te remettra dans les voies de la justice, et une vive lumière éclairera ton chemin.
Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 Parce que tu te seras humilié et que tu auras dit: l'homme s'était enorgueilli, mais il a baissé les yeux et il est sauvé.
For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 Dieu protégera l'innocent: qu'il soit sauvé, ô mon Dieu, par vos mains pures.
He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
