Job 22
22
Chapter 22
Eliphaz speaks to Job a third time #22:1 In this chapter, Eliphaz says three things to Job. First, we cannot give to God anything that he needs. But second, he says that Job must have done many wrong things. That is why God has punished him. Third, he says that Job should not argue with God. Instead Job should obey God. Then his life will be better and God will be kind to him again.
1Then Eliphaz, the man from Teman, replied. This is what he said:
2‘Nothing that a man can do will help God.
Even a wise man cannot help God.
3If you are a righteous person,
it does nothing to help Almighty God.
If you live a completely good life,
it still does not help him.
4It is not because you respect and obey God
that he punishes you.
It is not because you are a good person
that he accuses you.
5No! It is because you are a very wicked person.
You have done too many evil things for anyone to count them.
That is why he is punishing you.
6You took things from your friends when you lent money to them.
You had no reason to do that.
You even took away the only clothes that poor people were wearing. #22:6 When people lent money to others, they took something that belonged to the other person. It was to make sure that the person paid the money back to them.
7When you met people who were weak and tired,
you did not give them any water to drink.
You refused to feed hungry people.
8You were a powerful man,
with land that belonged to you.
People respected you.
Your land gave you a good life.
9But you refused to help widows.
You were cruel to children who have no family.
10That is why you have so many troubles.
That is why you shake with fear.
11It seems to you that you are in the dark
and you cannot see.
You feel as if a flood of deep water covers you.
12God lives high above us in heaven.
Look up at the stars and see how high they are!
13So you say, “God does not know about us.
He cannot judge us,
because darkness hides us from him.
14Thick clouds cover him,
so that he does not see us.
He moves around high above the sky.”
15Job, you must not continue to turn against God.
That is the way that evil people lived long ago.
16Those people died before they should have done.
A great flood of water took them away.
They had no safe place to stand. #22:16 Long ago, a flood of water destroyed people who had turned against God. See Genesis 6:5-22.
17They said to God, “Leave us alone!”
They thought that Almighty God could not hurt them.
18But it was God who gave them many good things to enjoy.
So I cannot accept the ideas of wicked people.
19God punishes wicked people.
When righteous people see that happen,
they are happy.
Good people then laugh at wicked people.
20They say, “God has destroyed our enemies.
He has burned all their valuable things in a fire.”
21So, Job, agree to accept God's ways.
Have peace in your mind about him.
Then you will again have good success.
22Listen to his teaching.
Remember carefully what he tells you.
23Turn back to the Almighty God,
so that you become strong again.
Stop all the evil things that happen in your house.
24Throw away your gold things.
Throw your pure gold among the rocks in the streams.
25Then the Almighty God will be like gold for you.
He will be like your valuable silver. #22:25 This verse is about the things that are most important in Job's life. He may have valuable things like silver and gold. But if he obeys God, then God will be more valuable to him than his silver and gold.
26You will be happy that Almighty God is your friend.
You will look up to him to help you.
27You will pray to him, and he will answer you.
You will do the things that you have promised to him.
28You will be able to do everything that you decide to do.
Light from God will show you the right way to go.
29You will pray for God to help people who are in trouble.
God will save those people who are humble.
30God will rescue even people who are guilty.
Because you do what is right,
God will save those people.’
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Job 22: EASY
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