221 Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded e , 2 "Can a vigorous man be of use to God , Or a wise man be useful to himself? 3 "Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous , Or profit if you make your ways perfect ? 4 "Is it because of your reverence that He reproves you, That He enters into judgment against you?
5 "Is not your wickedness great , And your iniquities without end ? 6 "For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause , And stripped men naked . 7 "To the weary you have given no water to drink , And from the hungry you have withheld bread . 8 "But the earth belongs to the mighty man , And the honorable e man dwells in it. 9 "You have sent widows away empty , And the strength of the orphans has been crushed . 10 "Therefore e snares surround you, And sudden dread terrifies you, 11 Or darkness , so that you cannot see , And an abundance of water covers you. 12 "Is not God in the height of heaven ? Look also at the distant stars , how high they are! 13 "You say , ' What does God know ? Can He judge through the thick darkness ? 14 ' Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see ; And He walks on the vault of heaven .'
15 "Will you keep to the ancient path Which wicked men have trod , 16 Who were snatched away before their time , Whose foundations were washed away by a river ? 17 "They said to God , 'Depart from us!' And 'What can the Almighty do to them?' 18 "Yet He filled their houses with good things; But the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 19 "The righteous see and are glad , And the innocent mock them, 20 Saying, 'Truly e our adversaries are cut off , And their abundance the fire has consumed .'
21 " Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you. 22 "Please receive instruction from His mouth And establish His words in your heart . 23 "If you return to the Almighty , you will be restored ; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent , 24 And place your gold in the dust , And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks , 25 Then the Almighty will be your gold And choice silver to you. 26 "For then you will delight in the Almighty And lift up your face to God . 27 "You will pray to Him, and He will hear you; And you will pay your vows . 28 "You will also decree a thing , and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways . 29 "When you are cast down , you will speak with confidence , And the humble e person e He will save . 30 "He will deliver one who is not innocent , And he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands ."
