2 Is it a pleasure to the Almighty, that thou shouldst be righteous? or any profit, that thou shouldst be blameless in thy ways?
2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
2 Can a man be of any use to God?Can even a wise man be of use to Him?
2 "Can a human being be useful to God, since he, who is wise, is sufficient to himself?
3 Is it, for thy reverence, that he will accuse thee? will enter with thee into judgment?
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
3 “Is there any pleasure to (b)the Almighty if you are righteous,Or profit if you make your ways perfect?
3 Will it please the Almighty if you are innocent, or does he profit if your life is blameless?
4 Is not, thy wickedness, great? and, without end, are not thine iniquities?
4 Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?
4 “Is it because of your (c)reverence that He reproves you,That He (B)enters into judgment against you?
4 Will he acquit you just because you fear him, and render a verdict on your behalf?
5 Surely then hast been wont to put thy brother in pledge, for nothing, and, the garments of the ill-clad, hast thou stripped off:
5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?
5 Isn’t your wickedness abundantand aren’t your iniquities endless?
5 Your wickedness is great, isn't it? There's no limit to your iniquity, is there?
6 No water - to the weary, hast thou given to drink, and, from the hungry, thou hast withheld broad:
6 For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
6 For you took collateral(C) from your brothers without cause,stripping off their clothes and leaving them naked.
6 "After all, you've taken collateral from your relatives for no reason; you stripped the naked of their clothing.
8 Widows, thou hast sent away empty, and, the arms of the fatherless, thou dost crush.
8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it.
8 while the land belonged to a powerful manand an influential man lived on it.
8 The land belongs to the powerful, and the privileged thrive in it.
12 Wilt thou say then, What doth GOD know? Out through a thick cloud, can he judge?
12 Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
12 Isn’t God as high as the heavens?And look at the highest stars—how lofty they are!
12 "Isn't God in heaven above? Consider how far away the stars are, and how lofty they are!
14 The path of the ancient time, wilt thou mark, which the men of iniquity trod?
14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.
14 ‘(S)Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see;And He walks on the (g)vault of heaven.’
14 Thick clouds cover him so he can't see as he walks back and forth at heaven's horizon.
18 The righteous shall see and rejoice, and, the innocent, shall laugh them to scorn:
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
18 But it was He who filled their houses with good things.The counsel of the wicked is far from me!
18 "Though God fills their houses with good things, the counsel of the wicked will remain far from me.
Make Peace With God
23 Then lay up, in the dust, precious ore, and, among the stones of the torrent-beds, fine gold:
23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
23 “If you (AD)return to (m)the Almighty, you will be (n)restored;If you (AE)remove unrighteousness far from your tent,
23 "If you return to the Almighty you'll be restored, as you remove iniquity from your household.
25 For, then, in the Almighty, shalt thou take exquisite delight, and shalt lift up - unto GOD - thy face;
25 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
25 the Almighty will be your goldand your finest silver.
25 and then the Almighty will be your gold and your refined silver.
28 When men cast themselves down, then thou shalt say: Up! And, him that is of downcast eyes, shall he save;
28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
28 “You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you;And (AJ)light will shine on your ways.
28 When you make a decision on something, it will be established for you, and light will brighten your way.
29 He shall deliver the innocent, and thou shalt escape by the pureness of thy hands.
29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
29 “When (s)you are cast down, you will speak with (t)confidence,And the (u)(AK)humble person He will save.
29 "For when they're humbled, you may respond; "It's their pride!' but he delivers the humble.