Bible

Job 22 (CEV)

Topics in Book | Outline of Book | Facts About Book | Commentary | Parallel Verse

NET | ESV | KJV | ASV | RSV | Good News | CEV | Basic | MSG | Spanish | French

Previous Chapter | Browse | Next Chapter

¹ Eliphaz from Teman said: ² What use are we humans to God, even the wisest of us? ³ If you were completely sinless, that would still mean nothing to God All-Powerful. ⁴ Is he correcting you for worshiping him? ⁵ No! It's because of your terrible sins. ⁶ To guarantee payment of a debt, you have taken clothes from the poor. ⁷ And you refused bread and water to the hungry and thirsty, ⁸ although you were rich, respected, and powerful. ⁹ You have turned away widows and have broken the arms of orphans. ¹⁰ That's why you were suddenly trapped by terror, ¹¹ blinded by darkness, and drowned in a flood. ¹² God lives in the heavens above the highest stars, where he sees everything. ¹³ Do you think the deep darkness hides you from God? ¹⁴ Do thick clouds cover his eyes, as he walks around heaven's dome high above the earth? ¹⁵ Give up those ancient ideas believed by sinners, ¹⁶ who were swept away without warning. ¹⁷ They rejected God All-Powerful, feeling he was helpless, ¹⁸ although he had been kind to their families. The beliefs of these sinners are truly disgusting. ¹⁹ When God's people see the godless swept away, they celebrate, ²⁰ saying, "Our enemies are gone, and fire has destroyed their possessions." ²¹ Surrender to God All-Powerful! You will find peace and prosperity. ²² Listen to his teachings and take them to heart. ²³ If you return to God and turn from sin, all will go well for you. ²⁴ So get rid of your finest gold, as though it were sand. ²⁵ Let God All-Powerful be your silver and gold, ²⁶ and you will find happiness by worshiping him. ²⁷ God will answer your prayers, and you will keep the promises you made to him. ²⁸ He will do whatever you ask, and life will be bright. ²⁹ When others are disgraced, God will clear their names in answer to your prayers. ³⁰ Even those who are guilty will be forgiven, because you obey God.