The Third Dialogue

(22.1—27.23)

Eliphaz

1-222.2–3: Job 35.6–8Is there anyone, even the wisest,

who could ever be of use to God?

3Does your doing right benefit God,

or does your being good help him at all?

4It is not because you stand in awe of God

that he reprimands you and brings you to trial.

5No, it's because you have sinned so much;

it's because of all the evil you do.

6To make your brother repay you the money he owed,

you took away his clothes and left him nothing to wear.

7You refused water to those who were tired,

and refused to feed those who were hungry.

8You used your power and your position

to take over the whole land.

9You not only refused to help widows,

but you also robbed and ill-treated orphans.

10So now there are pitfalls all round you,

and suddenly you are full of fear.

11It has grown so dark that you cannot see,

and a flood overwhelms you.

12Doesn't God live in the highest heavens

and look down on the stars, even though they are high?

13And yet you ask, “What does God know?

He is hidden by clouds — how can he judge us?”

14You think the thick clouds keep him from seeing,

as he walks on the dome of the sky.

15Are you determined to walk in the paths

that evil people have always followed?

16Even before their time had come,

they were washed away by a flood.

17These are the ones who rejected God

and believed that he could do nothing to them.

18And yet it was God who made them prosperous —

I can't understand the thoughts of the wicked.

19Good people are glad and the innocent laugh

when they see the wicked punished.

20All that the wicked own is destroyed,

and fire burns up anything that is left.

21Now, Job, make peace with God

and stop treating him like an enemy;

if you do, then he will bless you.

22Accept the teaching he gives;

keep his words in your heart.

23Yes, you must humbly22.23 One ancient translation humbly; Hebrew be built up. return to God

and put an end to all the evil

that is done in your house.

24Throw away your gold;

dump your finest gold in the dry stream bed.

25Let Almighty God be your gold,

and let him be silver, piled high for you.

26Then you will always trust in God

and find that he is the source of your joy.

27When you pray, he will answer you,

and you will keep the vows you made.

28You will succeed in all you do,

and light will shine on your path.

29God brings down the proud22.29 Probable text proud; Hebrew unclear.

and saves the humble.

30He will rescue you if you are innocent,22.30 Some ancient translations innocent; Hebrew not innocent.

if what you do is right.22.30 Verse 30 in Hebrew is unclear.