1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: | 1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: |
2"Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable? | 2"Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable? |
3Is it of any special benefit to the Almighty that you should be righteous, or is it any gain to him that you make your ways blameless? | 3Is it of any special benefit to the Almighty that you should be righteous, or is it any gain to him that you make your ways blameless? |
4Is it because of your piety that he rebukes you and goes to judgment with you? | 4Is it because of your piety that he rebukes you and goes to judgment with you? |
5Is not your wickedness great and is there no end to your iniquity? | 5Is not your wickedness great and is there no end to your iniquity? |
6"For you took pledges from your brothers for no reason, and you stripped the clothing from the naked. | 6"For you took pledges from your brothers for no reason, and you stripped the clothing from the naked. |
7You gave the weary no water to drink and from the hungry you withheld food. | 7You gave the weary no water to drink and from the hungry you withheld food. |
8Although you were a powerful man, owning land, an honored man living on it, | 8Although you were a powerful man, owning land, an honored man living on it, |
9you sent widows away empty-handed, and the arms of the orphans you crushed. | 9you sent widows away empty-handed, and the arms of the orphans you crushed. |
10That is why snares surround you, and why sudden fear terrifies you, | 10That is why snares surround you, and why sudden fear terrifies you, |
11why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you. | 11why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you. |
12"Is not God on high in heaven? And see the lofty stars, how high they are! | 12"Is not God on high in heaven? And see the lofty stars, how high they are! |
13But you have said, 'What does God know? Does he judge through such deep darkness? | 13But you have said, 'What does God know? Does he judge through such deep darkness? |
14Thick clouds are a veil for him, so he does not see us, as he goes back and forth in the vault of heaven.' | 14Thick clouds are a veil for him, so he does not see us, as he goes back and forth in the vault of heaven.' |
15Will you keep to the old path that evil men have walked-- | 15Will you keep to the old path that evil men have walked-- |
16men who were carried off before their time, when the flood was poured out on their foundations? | 16men who were carried off before their time, when the flood was poured out on their foundations? |
17They were saying to God, 'Turn away from us,' and 'What can the Almighty do to us?' | 17They were saying to God, 'Turn away from us,' and 'What can the Almighty do to us?' |
18But it was he who filled their houses with good things--yet the counsel of the wicked was far from me. | 18But it was he who filled their houses with good things--yet the counsel of the wicked was far from me. |
19The righteous see their destruction and rejoice; the innocent mock them scornfully, saying, | 19The righteous see their destruction and rejoice; the innocent mock them scornfully, saying, |
20Surely our enemies are destroyed, and fire consumes their wealth.' | 20Surely our enemies are destroyed, and fire consumes their wealth.' |
21"Reconcile yourself with God, and be at peace with him; in this way your prosperity will be good. | 21"Reconcile yourself with God, and be at peace with him; in this way your prosperity will be good. |
22Accept instruction from his mouth and store up his words in your heart. | 22Accept instruction from his mouth and store up his words in your heart. |
23If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; if you remove wicked behavior far from your tent, | 23If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; if you remove wicked behavior far from your tent, |
24and throw your gold in the dust--your gold of Ophir among the rocks in the ravines-- | 24and throw your gold in the dust--your gold of Ophir among the rocks in the ravines-- |
25then the Almighty himself will be your gold, and the choicest silver for you. | 25then the Almighty himself will be your gold, and the choicest silver for you. |
26Surely then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face toward God. | 26Surely then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face toward God. |
27You will pray to him and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him. | 27You will pray to him and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him. |
28Whatever you decide on a matter, it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. | 28Whatever you decide on a matter, it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. |
29When people are brought low and you say 'Lift them up!' then he will save the downcast; | 29When people are brought low and you say 'Lift them up!' then he will save the downcast; |
30he will deliver even someone who is not innocent, who will escape through the cleanness of your hands." | 30he will deliver even someone who is not innocent, who will escape through the cleanness of your hands." |
|