Job 22 · Clearspring

Eliphaz: Can a Man Be of Use to God?

¹Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,+ ²Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.+ ³Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?+ ⁴Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?+ ⁵Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.+ ⁶For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it.+ ⁷You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.+ ⁸For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.+ ⁹You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.+ ¹⁰For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.+ ¹¹Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.+ ¹²Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!+ ¹³And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?+ ¹⁴Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.+ ¹⁵Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?+ ¹⁶Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:+ ¹⁷Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?+ ¹⁸Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!+ ¹⁹The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,+ ²⁰Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.+ ²¹Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.+ ²²Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.+ ²³If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;+ ²⁴And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;+ ²⁵Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;+ ²⁶For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.+ ²⁷You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.+ ²⁸Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.+ ²⁹For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.+ ³⁰He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.+

Eliphaz: Can a Man Be of Use to God?

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