Job 22

ISV^{(i) 1} Eliphaz Speaks a Third TimeThen in response, Eliphaz from Teman said: ² “Can a human being be useful to God, since he, who is wise, is sufficient to himself? ³ Will it please the Almighty if you are innocent, or does he profit if your life is blameless? ⁴ Will he acquit you just because you fear him, and render a verdict on your behalf? ⁵ Your wickedness is great, isn’t it? There’s no limit to your iniquity, is there? ⁶ “After all, you’ve taken collateral from your relatives for no reason; you stripped the naked of their clothing. ⁷ You’ve neglected to give water to the weary, and you’ve withheld food from the hungry. ⁸ The land belongs to the powerful, and the privileged thrive in it. ⁹ You sent away widows empty-handed, and broke the outstretched arms of orphans. ¹⁰ That’s why disaster surrounds you, terror suddenly overwhelms you, ¹¹ you see nothing but darkness, and a flood of troubles drowns you.”
¹² Eliphaz Acknowledges God but Issues an Imprecatory Prayer“Isn’t God in heaven above? Consider how far away the stars are, and how lofty they are! ¹³ You’ve asked, ‘What does God know? Can he sort through pitch black darkness?’ ¹⁴ Thick clouds cover him so he can’t see as he walks back and forth at heaven’s horizon. ¹⁵ “Will you keep walking on the traditional path that sinners have tread, ¹⁶ who were snatched away before their time; when their foundation was swept away by a river? ¹⁷ They told God, ‘Get away from us!’ and ‘What will the Almighty do to them?’ ¹⁸ “Though God fills their houses with good things, the counsel of the wicked will remain far from me. ¹⁹ The righteous will see this and rejoice; the innocent will insult him, saying, ²⁰ ‘Our enemies are sure to be destroyed, and fire will burn up what’s left of their riches.”
²¹ Eliphaz Challenges Job to Repent“Get to know God, and you’ll be at peace with him, and then prosperity will come to you. ²² Accept what he has to teach you, and treasure his words in your heart. ²³ “If you return to the Almighty you’ll be restored, as you remove iniquity from your household. ²⁴ Bury your gold nuggets in the dust, and your source of gold among the stones in a streambed, ²⁵ and then the Almighty will be your gold and your refined silver. ²⁶ “Then you’ll take delight in the Almighty; and will turn your face toward God. ²⁷ You’ll entreat him and he’ll listen to you as you fulfill your vows. ²⁸ When you make a decision on something, it will be established for you, and light will brighten your way. ²⁹ “For when they’re humbled, you may respond; ‘It’s their pride!’ but he delivers the humble. ³⁰ He’ll even deliver the guilty, who will be delivered through your innocence.”