The third round of the debate

Eliphaz's third speech

What use are we humans to God?

1Eliphaz from Teman22.1 Teman: See the note at 2.11. said:

2What use are we humans22.2,3: Job 35.6-8.

to God,

even the wisest of us?

3If you were completely sinless,

that would still mean nothing

to God All-Powerful.

4Is he correcting you

for worshipping him?

5No! It's because

of your terrible sins.

6To guarantee payment of a debt,

you have taken clothes

from the poor.

7And you refused bread and water

to the hungry and thirsty,

8although you were rich,

respected, and powerful.

9You have turned away widows

and have broken the arms

of orphans.

10That's why you were suddenly

trapped by terror,

11blinded by darkness,

and drowned in a flood.

God lives in the heavens

12God lives in the heavens

above the highest stars,

where he sees everything.

13Do you think the deep darkness

hides you from God?

14Do thick clouds cover his eyes,

as he walks around heaven's dome

high above the earth?

15Give up those ancient ideas

believed by sinners,

16who were swept away

without warning.

17They rejected God All-Powerful,

feeling he was helpless,

18although he had been kind

to their families.

The beliefs of these sinners

are truly disgusting.

19When God's people see

the godless swept away,

they celebrate, 20saying,

“Our enemies are gone,

and fire has destroyed

their possessions.”

Surrender to God All-Powerful

21Surrender to God All-Powerful!

You will find peace

and prosperity.

22Listen to his teachings

and take them to heart.

23If you return to God

and turn from sin,

all will go well for you.

24So get rid of your finest gold,

as though it were sand.

25Let God All-Powerful

be your silver and gold,

26and you will find happiness

by worshipping him.

27God will answer your prayers,

and you will keep the promises

you made to him.

28He will do whatever you ask,

and life will be bright.

29When others are disgraced,

God will clear their names

in answer to your prayers.

30Even those who are guilty

will be forgiven,

because you obey God.22.30 God: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 29,30.