Job 22
Then Eliphaz, the Temanite,
replied saying:
Is a man of benefit to God?
Even when the wisest is serving Him?
Is it gain for the Almighty if you are righteous?
Does He profit if you make your ways blameless?
Is it because of your piety that He reproves you?
Comes to judgement against you?
In fact, your wickedness is great,
There is no end to your iniquities.
For you have extracted pledges from your kinsmen without reason,
Stripped the naked of their clothing.
No water have you given to the thirsty,
From the hungry you have withheld bread.
For you:
“The strong-armed control the land,
Those so privileged dwell upon it.
You have sent widows off empty-handed,
Crushed the arms of the fatherless.
Therefore, snares are all around you,
Why sudden peril terrifies you.
Through darkness, you cannot see,
Nor the flood of waters covering you.
You think:
“God is in the lofty heavens,
Behold the highest stars, How lofty they are!”
Therefore you say:
“What can God know?
Can He judge through the deep darkness?
Thick clouds seclude Him He does not see us
As He goes about the vaulted heavens.”
Will you cling to the ancient ways
Which the wicked have trodden,
Who were cut down out of time,
Their foundations poured out like a river?
Who said to El:
“Turn away from us!”
“What can Shaddai do for us?”
Yet, it was He who filled their houses with plenty-
(The thoughts of the wicked are beyond me!)
The righteous seeing it rejoice,
The guiltless laugh and mock them,
Saying:
“Surely our enemies are cut off,
Their riches consumed by fire.”
Align yourself and make peace with God,
Through this you will be blessed.
Receive instruction from His mouth,
Place His words in your heart.
If you return to the Almighty,
You will be restores.
If you remove iniquity from our tabernacle,
Then you can lay your treasure in the dust,
Your special treasures as stones of the wadi.
For the Almighty will be your real gold,
And your bounty of silver.
Then you will seek the favor of the Almighty,
Lifting your face to God in prayer.
You will pray to him, He will hear you,
Then you will fulfill your vows.
When you issue a decree,
It will be fulfilled,
Light will shine upon your paths.
When others are humiliated,
You will say “Rise up!”
He will save the humble.
He will even save the guilty,
Delivered through the purity of your hands.
Background:
After studying two chapters of Job, I decided that I would start to write what I thought the best translation might be. Since it was not a translation, my brain reached back into what others call a memory and came out with “amalgamation”. (I had to look it up to make sure it was the right term.)
I decided I would read the various translations I am using, a verse at a time, and I would pick an amalgamation for each and see how it went. After fifteen verses, I decided it is enjoyable, I am learning more about the meaning of each piece of Job, and I am working the challenge that I sought in starting this study.
I also decided that the added benefit of having something to share with others along the way was worth the risk of being thought of as arrogant or whatever this might be negatively construed as. My goal is to share my walk with God for His glory and if necessary, my shame. I hope you enjoy reading the results and maybe learn a little along the way. (Note I am not marking verses in the poetry.)
Job 231