Job 22

VIN(i) 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, 2 Can a man be useful to God? For can a wise man be useful to himself? 3 "Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous? Is it profitable to him if you make your ways blameless? 4 "Is it for your reverence that he reproves you, and enters into judgment with you? 5 "Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities. 6 For thou hast taken a pledge of thy brother for nought, and stripped off the clothing of the naked. 7 You've neglected to give water to the weary, and you've withhold food from the hungry. 8 "The powerful possess the land, and the favored live in it. 9 "You have sent widows away empty-handed. You crush the arms of the orphans. 10 Therefore snares are all around you and sudden fear troubles you, 11 or it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you. 12 "Is not God in the height of the heavens? But see how lofty are the highest stars. 13 Yet you say, What does El know? Can He judge through murkiness? 14 "'Thick clouds enwrap him, so that he does not see, and he walks on the dome of the heavens.'" 15 Do you keep to the old way which evil men have trod? 16 "They were snatched away before their time. Their foundation is washed away by flood. 17 "They said to God: 'Leave us alone.' They asked: 'What can the Almighty do to us?' 18 "Yet he filled their houses with good things. Yet the plans of the wicked are repugnant. 19 The righteous will see this and rejoice; the innocent will insult him, saying, 20 Truly our foe is not cut down, and fire has eaten their wealth. 21 "Get to know God, and you'll be at peace with him, and then prosperity will come to you. 22 "Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. 23 If you return to Shaddai, you will be restored; if you remove wickedness from your tent, 24 And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys; 25 Yea, the Almighty shall be your gold and silver, a tower to you, 26 for then you will delight over the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God. 27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows. 28 Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways. 29 When they cast down, you shall say, 'be lifted up.' And he will save the humble. 30 He will deliver even him who is not innocent. Yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.