International Standard Version | New International Version |
1Then in response, Eliphaz from Teman said: | 1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: |
2"Can a human being be useful to God, since he, who is wise, is sufficient to himself? | 2"Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise person benefit him? |
3Will it please the Almighty if you are innocent, or does he profit if your life is blameless? | 3What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he gain if your ways were blameless? |
4Will he acquit you just because you fear him, and render a verdict on your behalf? | 4"Is it for your piety that he rebukes you and brings charges against you? |
5Your wickedness is great, isn't it? There's no limit to your iniquity, is there? | 5Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless? |
6"After all, you've taken collateral from your relatives for no reason; you stripped the naked of their clothing. | 6You demanded security from your relatives for no reason; you stripped people of their clothing, leaving them naked. |
7You've neglected to give water to the weary, and you've withheld food from the hungry. | 7You gave no water to the weary and you withheld food from the hungry, |
8The land belongs to the powerful, and the privileged thrive in it. | 8though you were a powerful man, owning land-- an honored man, living on it. |
9You sent away widows empty-handed, and broke the outstretched arms of orphans. | 9And you sent widows away empty-handed and broke the strength of the fatherless. |
10That's why disaster surrounds you, terror suddenly overwhelms you, | 10That is why snares are all around you, why sudden peril terrifies you, |
11you see nothing but darkness, and a flood of troubles drowns you." | 11why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you. |
12"Isn't God in heaven above? Consider how far away the stars are, and how lofty they are! | 12"Is not God in the heights of heaven? And see how lofty are the highest stars! |
13You've asked, 'What does God know? Can he sort through pitch black darkness?' | 13Yet you say, 'What does God know? Does he judge through such darkness? |
14Thick clouds cover him so he can't see as he walks back and forth at heaven's horizon. | 14Thick clouds veil him, so he does not see us as he goes about in the vaulted heavens.' |
15"Will you keep walking on the traditional path that sinners have tread, | 15Will you keep to the old path that the wicked have trod? |
16who were snatched away before their time; when their foundation was swept away by a river? | 16They were carried off before their time, their foundations washed away by a flood. |
17They told God, 'Get away from us!' and 'What will the Almighty do to them?' | 17They said to God, 'Leave us alone! What can the Almighty do to us?' |
18"Though God fills their houses with good things, the counsel of the wicked will remain far from me. | 18Yet it was he who filled their houses with good things, so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked. |
19The righteous will see this and rejoice; the innocent will insult him, saying, | 19The righteous see their ruin and rejoice; the innocent mock them, saying, |
20Our enemies are sure to be destroyed, and fire will burn up what's left of their riches." | 20Surely our foes are destroyed, and fire devours their wealth.' |
21"Get to know God, and you'll be at peace with him, and then prosperity will come to you. | 21"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. |
22Accept what he has to teach you, and treasure his words in your heart. | 22Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. |
23"If you return to the Almighty you'll be restored, as you remove iniquity from your household. | 23If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent |
24Bury your gold nuggets in the dust, and your source of gold among the stones in a streambed, | 24and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, |
25and then the Almighty will be your gold and your refined silver. | 25then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you. |
26"Then you'll take delight in the Almighty; and will turn your face toward God. | 26Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. |
27You'll entreat him and he'll listen to you as you fulfill your vows. | 27You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. |
28When you make a decision on something, it will be established for you, and light will brighten your way. | 28What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways. |
29"For when they're humbled, you may respond; 'It's their pride!' but he delivers the humble. | 29When people are brought low and you say, 'Lift them up!' then he will save the downcast. |
30He'll even deliver the guilty, who will be delivered through your innocence." | 30He will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands." |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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