Job 22:1-30 NCV

[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: [2] "Can anyone be of real use to God? Can even a wise person do him good? [3] Does it help the Almighty for you to be good? Does he gain anything if you are innocent? [4] Does God punish you for respecting him? Does he 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 for 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 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 empty-handed, and you mistreated orphans. [10] That is why traps are all around you and sudden danger frightens you. [11] That is why it is so dark you cannot see and 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 ask, 'What does God know? Can he judge us through the dark clouds? [14] Thick clouds cover him so he cannot see us as 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, and their foundations were washed away by a flood. [17] They said to God, 'Leave us alone! The Almighty can do nothing to us.' [18] But it was God who filled their houses with good things. Their way of thinking is different from mine. [19] "Good people can watch and be glad; the innocent can laugh at them and say, [20] 'Surely our enemies are destroyed, and fire burns up their wealth.' [21] "Obey God and be at peace with him; this is the way to happiness. [22] Accept teaching from his mouth, and keep his words in your heart. [23] If you return to the Almighty, you will be blessed again. So remove evil from your house. [24] Throw your gold nuggets into the dust and your fine gold among the rocks in the ravines. [25] Then the Almighty will be your gold and the best silver for you. [26] You will find pleasure in the Almighty, 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 people are made humble and you say, 'Have courage,' then the humble will be saved. [30] Even a guilty person will escape and be saved because your hands are clean."