Job Chapter 22 (NIV)

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undefined EliphazThen Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

undefined “Can a man be of benefit to God?Can even a wise man benefit him?

undefined What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous?What would he gain if your ways were blameless?

undefined “Is it for your piety that he rebukes youand brings charges against you?

undefined Is not your wickedness great?Are not your sins endless?

undefined You demanded security from your brothers for no reason;you stripped men of their clothing, leaving them naked.

undefined You gave no water to the wearyand you withheld food from the hungry,

undefined though you were a powerful man, owning land—an honored man, living on it.

undefined And you sent widows away empty-handedand broke the strength of the fatherless.

undefined That is why snares are all around you,why sudden peril terrifies you,

undefined why it is so dark you cannot see,and why a flood of water covers you.

undefined “Is not God in the heights of heaven?And see how lofty are the highest stars!

undefined Yet you say, ‘What does God know?Does he judge through such darkness?

undefined Thick clouds veil him, so he does not see usas he goes about in the vaulted heavens.’

undefined Will you keep to the old paththat evil men have trod?

undefined They were carried off before their time,their foundations washed away by a flood.

undefined They said to God, ‘Leave us alone!What can the Almighty do to us?’

undefined Yet it was he who filled their houses with good things,so I stand aloof from the counsel of the wicked.

undefined “The righteous see their ruin and rejoice;the innocent mock them, saying,

undefined ‘Surely our foes are destroyed,and fire devours their wealth.’

undefined “Submit to God and be at peace with him;in this way prosperity will come to you.

undefined Accept instruction from his mouthand lay up his words in your heart.

undefined If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored:If you remove wickedness far from your tent

undefined and assign your nuggets to the dust,your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines,

undefined then the Almighty will be your gold,the choicest silver for you.

undefined Surely then you will find delight in the Almightyand will lift up your face to God.

undefined You will pray to him, and he will hear you,and you will fulfill your vows.

undefined What you decide on will be done,and light will shine on your ways.

undefined When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’then he will save the downcast.

undefined He will deliver even one who is not innocent,who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”

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