(22:1–27:23)

22 Then Elifaz (from Teman) responded to Iyyov:

2 Can a human be of use to God?[ref]

≈Might a wise person be of any use to him?

3 Does it give pleasure to the provider if you’re innocent?

≈Will he benefit if you’re blameless in your actions?

4 Does he scold you for your religiosity?

≈Does he go with you into judgement?

5 Your wickedness is really bad,

≈and there’s no end to your evil actions.

6 You’ve forced your brothers into unnecessary debt to you.

≈You’ve demanded clothes in payment and left people naked.

7 You never gave exhausted people anything to drink,

≈and you refused to give food to those who were hungry.

8 The land belongs to a powerful man.

≈A man who was honoured lives on it.

9 You sent widows away empty-handed,

≈and the strength of orphans has been crushed.

10 Because of that there’s traps set all around you,

and sudden fear terrifies you,

11 or darkness so you can’t see,

and a flood of water covers you.

12 Isn’t God as high as the sky,

and look at how high the tops of those stars are!

13 You might ask, ‘What does God know?

Will he judge through thick darkness?

14 Clouds block things off from him so he can’t see.

He walks around way up there on top of the heavens.’

15 Will you stay on the ancient paths,

on which wicked people regularly tred?

16 They were captured at an inappropriate time—

a torrent of water poured over their foundations.

17 They had told God, ‘Leave us alone,’

and ‘What can the provider do for us?’

18 But he had filled their houses with good things,

and I keep far away from the advice of wicked people.

19 Godly people are happy when they see that, WHAT?

≈and innocent people mock them. WHO?

20 If he didn’t destroy our enemies, MEANING?

and fire has destroyed what was left. MEANING?

21 Now be reconciled with him and at peace.

Doing that will bring good to you.

22 Just accept his advice,

≈and keep thinking about his words.

23 If you return to the provider, you’ll be encouraged.

He’ll remove injustice from your living situation.

24 Throw your gold onto the dust on the ground,

≈and fine gold onto the stones in the riverbed.

25 Then the provider will be your gold,

≈and be heaps of silver to you.

26 Then you’ll enjoy your relationship with the provider,

≈and you’ll raise your head towards God.

27 You’ll pray to him and he’ll listen to you,

and you’ll fulfil your promises to him.

28 Once you decide on something, it’ll be done for you,

≈and light will shine on all your paths.

29 People are humbled and then honoured again,

≈and he will save those who humble themselves.

30 He will set free those who aren’t innocent,

≈and they’ll be rescued with the cleanness of your hands.