Job 22:1-30 NLT

[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: [2] "Can a person do anything to help God? Can even a wise person be helpful to him? [3] Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous? Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect? [4] Is it because you're so pious that he accuses you and brings judgment against you? [5] No, it's because of your wickedness! There's no limit to your sins. [6] "For example, you must have lent money to your friend and demanded clothing as security. Yes, you stripped him to the bone. [7] You must have refused water for the thirsty and food for the hungry. [8] You probably think the land belongs to the powerful and only the privileged have a right to it! [9] You must have sent widows away empty-handed and crushed the hopes of orphans. [10] That is why you are surrounded by traps and tremble from sudden fears. [11] That is why you cannot see in the darkness, and waves of water cover you. [12] "God is so great-higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars. [13] But you reply, 'That's why God can't see what I am doing! How can he judge through the thick darkness? [14] For thick clouds swirl about him, and he cannot see us. He is way up there, walking on the vault of heaven.' [15] "Will you continue on the old paths where evil people have walked? [16] They were snatched away in the prime of life, the foundations of their lives washed away. [17] For they said to God, 'Leave us alone! What can the Almighty do to us?' [18] Yet he was the one who filled their homes with good things, so I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking. [19] "The righteous will be happy to see the wicked destroyed, and the innocent will laugh in contempt. [20] They will say, 'See how our enemies have been destroyed. The last of them have been consumed in the fire.' [21] "Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you. [22] Listen to his instructions, and store them in your heart. [23] If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored- so clean up your life. [24] If you give up your lust for money and throw your precious gold into the river, [25] the Almighty himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver! [26] "Then you will take delight in the Almighty and look up to God. [27] You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows to him. [28] You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you. [29] If people are in trouble and you say, 'Help them,' God will save them. [30] Even sinners will be rescued; they will be rescued because your hands are pure."