Job 22:2
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
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?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- “Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?
- KJV
- Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
- WEB
- “Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself.
- ASV
- Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.
- DARBY
- Can a man be profitable to God? surely it is unto himself that the wise man is profitable.
- BLB
- “Can a man be useful to God? Can even a wise one benefit Him?
- ÅB
- Kan vel en mann være til gagn for Gud? Nei, bare seg selv gagner den forstandige.
- OTB
- “Kan et menneske være til nytte for Gud?
Kan en klok person være til nytte for seg selv? - B1930
- Kan vel en mann være til gagn for Gud? Nei, bare sig selv gagner den forstandige.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Luke 17:10
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Read in contextGalatians 6:7–8
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Read in contextJob 35:6–8
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
Read in contextPsalms 16:2
O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
Read in contextProverbs 3:13–18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Read in contextJob 21:15
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
Read in contextProverbs 9:12
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
Read in contextMatthew 5:29
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Read in context