22:1
Eliphaz of Teman spoke next. He said:
22:2
Can a human being contribute anything to God, when even someone intelligent can benefit only himself?
22:3
Does Shaddai derive any benefit from your uprightness, or profit from your blameless conduct?
22:4
Do you think he is punishing you for your piety and bringing you to justice for that?
22:5
No, for your great wickedness, more likely, for your unlimited sins!
22:6
You have exacted unearned pledges from your brothers, stripped people naked of their clothes,
22:7
failed to give water to the thirsty and refused bread to the hungry;
22:8
handed the land over to a strong man, for some favoured person to move in,
22:9
sent widows away empty-handed and crushed the arms of orphans.
22:10
No wonder, then, if snares are all around you, and sudden terrors make you afraid;
22:11
if light has turned to darkness, so that you cannot see, and you have been submerged in the flood.
22:12
Does not God live high in the heavens, does he not see the zenith of the stars?
22:13
And because he is up there, you have said, 'What does God know? Can he judge through the dark cloud?
22:14
The clouds, to him, are an impenetrable veil, as he goes his way on the rim of the heavens.'
22:15
And will you still follow the ancient trail trodden by the wicked,
22:16
those who were borne off before their time, whose foundations were swamped by a flood,
22:17
for having said to God, 'Go away! What can Shaddai do to us?'
22:18
Yet he himself had filled their houses with good things, although excluded from the plans of the wicked!
22:19
At such a spectacle, the upright rejoice, and the innocent deride them:
22:20
'See how our enemies have been destroyed! See how their wealth has perished in the flames!'
22:21
Well then! Make peace with him, be reconciled, and all your happiness will be restored to you.
22:22
Welcome the teaching from his lips, and keep his words close to your heart.
22:23
If you return, humbled, to Shaddai and drive wickedness far from your tent,
22:24
if you lay your gold down on the dust, Ophir down among the pebbles of the torrent,
22:25
Shaddai will be bars of gold to you and silver piled in heaps.
22:26
Then Shaddai will be all your delight, and you will lift your face to God.
22:27
You will pray, and he will hear; and you will be able to fulfil your vows.
22:28
Whatever you undertake will go well, and light will shine on your path;
22:29
for he casts down the pride of the arrogant, but he saves those of downcast eyes.
22:30
He rescues anyone who is innocent; have your hands clean, and you will be saved.
Previous
Next