5. Haven't you done many evil things? Don't you sin again and again?
6. You took clothes away from your relatives just because they owed you some money. You left them naked for no reason at all.
7. You didn't give any water to people who were tired. You held food back from those who were hungry.
8. You did it even though you were honored and powerful. You owned land and lived on it.
9. But you sent widows away without anything. You mistreated children whose fathers had died.
10. That's why traps have been set all around you. That's why sudden danger terrifies you.
11. That's why it's so dark you can't even see. That's why a flood covers you up.
12. "Isn't God in the highest parts of heaven? See how high the highest stars are!
13. But you still say, 'What does God know? Can he see through the darkest clouds to judge us?
14. He goes around in the highest heavens. Thick clouds keep him from seeing us.'
15. Will you stay on the old path that sinful people have walked on?
16. They were carried off even before they died. Their foundations were washed away by a flood.
17. They said to God, 'Leave us alone! What can you do to us, you Mighty One?'
18. But he was the one who filled their houses with good things. So I don't pay any attention to the advice they give.
19. "Those who do what is right are joyful when they see sinners destroyed. Those who haven't done anything wrong make fun of them.
20. They say, 'Our enemies are completely destroyed. Fire has burned up their wealth.'
21. "Job, obey God and be at peace with him. Then he will help you succeed.
22. Do what he teaches you to do. Keep his words in your heart.
23. If you return to the Mighty One, you will have what you had before. But first you must remove everything that is evil far from your tent.
24. You must throw your gold nuggets away. You must toss your gold from Ophir into a valley.