Job 22:1-14 ▼

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

2 “Can a vigorous man be of use to God, Or a wise man be useful to himself?

3 “Is it any pleasure or joy to the Almighty that you are righteous? Or is it of benefit to Him that you make your ways perfect?

4 “Is it because of your fear of Him that He corrects you, That He enters into judgment against you?

5 “Is not your wickedness great, And your sins without end?

6 “For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause, And stripped men naked.

7 “You have not given water to the weary to drink, And you have withheld bread from the hungry.

8 “But the land is possessed by the man with power, And the favored and honorable man dwells in it.

9 “You have sent widows away empty-handed, And the arms (strength) of the fatherless have been broken.

10 “Therefore snares surround you, And sudden dread terrifies and overwhelms you;

11 Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And a flood of water covers you.

12 “Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the distant stars, how high they are!

13 “You say, ‘What does God know [about me]? Can He judge through the thick darkness?

14 ‘Thick clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see, And He walks on the vault (circle) of the heavens.’