Job 22:1-30 NIrV

[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied, [2] “Can any person be of benefit to God? Can even a wise person be of any help to him? [3] Job, what pleasure would it give the Mighty One if you were right? What would he get if you were completely honest? [4] “You say you have respect for him. Is that why he corrects you? Is that why he brings charges against you? [5] Haven’t you done many evil things? Don’t you sin again and again? [6] You took clothes away from your relatives just because they owed you some money. You left them naked for no reason at all. [7] You didn’t give any water to people who were tired. You held food back from those who were hungry. [8] You did it even though you were honored and powerful. You owned land and lived on it. [9] But you sent widows away without anything. You mistreated children whose fathers had died. [10] That’s why traps have been set all around you. That’s why sudden danger terrifies you. [11] That’s why it’s so dark you can’t even see. That’s why a flood covers you up. [12] “Isn’t God in the highest parts of heaven? See how high the highest stars are! [13] But you still say, ‘What does God know? Can he see through the darkest clouds to judge us? [14] He goes around in the highest heavens. Thick clouds keep him from seeing us.’ [15] Will you stay on the old path that sinful people have walked on? [16] They were carried off even before they died. Their foundations were washed away by a flood. [17] They said to God, ‘Leave us alone! What can you do to us, you Mighty One?’ [18] But he was the one who filled their houses with good things. So I don’t pay any attention to the plans of evil people. [19] “Those who do what is right are joyful when they see sinners destroyed. Those who haven’t done anything wrong make fun of them. [20] They say, ‘Our enemies are completely destroyed. Fire has burned up their wealth.’ [21] “Job, obey God and be at peace with him. Then he will help you succeed. [22] Do what he teaches you to do. Keep his words in your heart. [23] If you return to the Mighty One, you will have what you had before. But first you must remove everything that is evil far from your tent. [24] You must throw your gold nuggets away. You must toss your gold from Ophir into a valley. [25] Then the Mighty One himself will be your gold. He’ll be like the finest silver to you. [26] You will find delight in the Mighty One. You will honor God and trust in him. [27] You will pray to him, and he will hear you. You will keep the promises you made to him. [28] What you decide to do will be done. Light will shine on the path you take. [29] When people are brought low you will say, ‘Lift them up!’ Then God will help them. [30] He’ll even save those who are guilty. He’ll save them because your hands are clean.”