Job 22:1-30 ICB

[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: [2] "A man cannot be of any real use to God. Even a wise man does him no good. [3] It does not help God All-Powerful for you to be good. He gains nothing if you are innocent. [4] God does not punish you for respecting him. He does not bring you into court for this. [5] No! It is because your evil is without limits. And your sins have no end. [6] You took your brothers' things to pay a debt they didn't owe. You took clothes from people and left them naked. [7] You did not give water to tired people. And you kept food away from the hungry. [8] You were a powerful man who owned land. You were honored and lived in the land. [9] But you sent widows away without giving them anything. You even mistreated orphans. [10] That is why traps are all around you. That is why sudden danger frightens you. [11] That is why it is so dark you cannot see. And that is why a flood of water covers you. [12] "God is in the highest part of heaven. See how high the highest stars are! [13] But you say, 'God knows nothing. He cannot judge us through the dark clouds. [14] Thick clouds cover him so he cannot see us. He walks around high up in the sky.' [15] Are you going to stay on the old path where evil people walk? [16] They were carried away before their time was up. Their foundations were washed away by a flood. [17] They said to God, 'Leave us alone! God All-Powerful can do nothing to us.' [18] But it was God who filled their houses with good things. He did this even though their way of thinking was not godly. [19] "Good people can watch and be glad. Innocent people can laugh at them and say, [20] 'Surely our enemies are destroyed. And fire burns up their wealth.' [21] "Obey God, and then you will be at peace with him. This way you can be happy. [22] Accept teaching from his mouth. Keep his words in your heart. [23] If you return to God All-Powerful, you will be blessed again. Remove evil from your house. [24] Throw your gold nuggets into the dust. Throw your fine gold to the rocks in the ravines. [25] Then God All-Powerful will be your gold. He will be the best silver for you. [26] You will find pleasure in God All-Powerful. And you will look up to him. [27] You will pray to him, and he will hear you. And you will keep your promises to him. [28] Anything you decide will be done. And light will shine on your ways. [29] When terrible things happen to people, you will say, 'Have courage.' Then those who are humble will be saved. [30] Even the guilty will escape. They will be saved because your hands are clean."