Job 22:2–5

2 “Can a man be of benefit to God?

Can even a wise person benefit him?

3 What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous?

What would he gain if your ways were blameless?

4 “Is it for your piety that he rebukes you

and brings charges against you?

5 Is not your wickedness great?

Are not your sins endless?

2 Can a man be profitable unto God,

As he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous?

Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

4 Will he reprove thee for fear of thee?

Will he enter with thee into judgment?

5 Is not thy wickedness great?

And thine iniquities infinite?

2 “Can a person do anything to help God?

Can even a wise person be helpful to him?

3 Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous?

Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?

4 Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you

and brings judgment against you?

5 No, it’s because of your wickedness!

There’s no limit to your sins.

2 “Can a man be profitable to God,

Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous?

Or is it gain to Him that you make your ways blameless?

4 “Is it because of your fear of Him that He corrects you,

And enters into judgment with you?

5 Is not your wickedness great,

And your iniquity without end?

2 “Can anyone be of real use to God?

Can even a wise person do him good?

3 Does it help the Almighty for you to be good?

Does he gain anything if you are innocent?

4 Does God punish you for respecting him?

Does he bring you into court for this?

5 No! It is because your evil is without limits

and your sins have no end.

2 Can a man be profitable unto God?

Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous?

Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

4 Is it for thy fear of him that he reproveth thee,

That he entereth with thee into judgment?

5 Is not thy wickedness great?

Neither is there any end to thine iniquities.

2 Can a man be profitable to •God? surely it is unto himself that the wise man is profitable. 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if thou art righteous? And is it gain to him that thou makest thy ways perfect? 4 Will he reason with thee for fear of thee? Will he enter with thee into judgment?

5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities without end?

2 “Can a human be of any use to God 

when even a wise person is only useful to himself? 

3 Is the Almighty pleased when you are righteous? 

Does he gain anything when you follow the path of integrity? 

4 Does God correct you 

and bring you into a court of law because you fear him? 

5 “Aren’t you really very wicked? 

Is there no end to your wrongdoing? 

2 Can a man be of any use to God?

Can even a wise man be of use to Him?

3 Does it delight the Almighty if you are righteous?

Does He profit if you perfect your behavior?

4 Does He correct you and take you to court

because of your piety?

5 Isn’t your wickedness abundant

and aren’t your iniquities endless?

2 “Can a mortal be of use to God?

Can even the wisest be of service to him?

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous,

or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?

4 Is it for your piety that he reproves you

and enters into judgment with you?

5 Is not your wickedness great?

There is no end to your iniquities.

2 “Can a man be of use to God?

Yes, can the wise be of use to him?

3 Is it a pleasure to Shaddai if you are righteous,

or a gain if you make your ways blameless?

4 Does he reprove you because of your reverence

or enter into judgment with you?

5 Is not your wickedness great,

and there is no end to your iniquities?

2 “Can any man be of benefit to God?

Can even a wise man be of any help to him?

3 Job, what pleasure would it give the Mighty One if you were right?

What would he get if you were completely honest?

4 “You say you have respect for him.

Is that why he corrects you?

Is that why he brings charges against you?

5 Haven’t you done many evil things?

Don’t you sin again and again?

2 “Can a vigorous man be of use to God,

Or a wise man be useful to himself?

3 “Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous,

Or profit if you make your ways perfect?

4 “Is it because of your reverence that He reproves you,

That He enters into judgment against you?

5 “Is not your wickedness great,

And your iniquities without end?