Job 22:1-30 NET

[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: [2] "Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable? [3] Is it of any special benefit to the Almighty that you should be righteous, or is it any gain to him that you make your ways blameless? [4] Is it because of your piety that he rebukes you and goes to judgment with you? [5] Is not your wickedness great and is there no end to your iniquity? [6] "For you took pledges from your brothers for no reason, and you stripped the clothing from the naked. [7] You gave the weary no water to drink and from the hungry you withheld food. [8] Although you were a powerful man, owning land, an honored man living on it, [9] you sent widows away empty-handed, and the arms of the orphans you crushed. [10] That is why snares surround you, and why sudden fear terrifies you, [11] why it is so dark you cannot see, and why a flood of water covers you. [12] "Is not God on high in heaven? And see the lofty stars, how high they are! [13] But you have said, 'What does God know? Does he judge through such deep darkness? [14] Thick clouds are a veil for him, so he does not see us, as he goes back and forth in the vault of heaven.' [15] Will you keep to the old path that evil men have walked- [16] men who were carried off before their time, when the flood was poured out on their foundations? [17] They were saying to God, 'Turn away from us,' and, 'What can the Almighty do to us?' [18] But it was he who filled their houses with good things-yet the counsel of the wicked was far from me. [19] The righteous see their destruction and rejoice; the innocent mock them scornfully, saying, [20] 'Surely our enemies are destroyed, and fire consumes their wealth.' [21] "Reconcile yourself with God, and be at peace with him; in this way your prosperity will be good. [22] Accept instruction from his mouth and store up his words in your heart. [23] If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; if you remove wicked behavior far from your tent, [24] and throw your gold in the dust-your gold of Ophir among the rocks in the ravines- [25] then the Almighty himself will be your gold, and the choicest silver for you. [26] Surely then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face toward God. [27] You will pray to him and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him. [28] Whatever you decide on a matter, it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. [29] When people are brought low and you say, 'Lift them up!' then he will save the downcast; [30] he will deliver even someone who is not innocent, who will escape through the cleanness of your hands."