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