[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded,
[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?
[6] For you have taken pledges of your brothers without cause, And stripped men naked.
[7] To the weary you have given no water to drink, And from the hungry you have withheld bread.
[8] But the earth belongs to the mighty man, And the honorable man dwells in it.
[9] You have sent widows away empty, And the strength of the orphans has been crushed.
[10] Therefore snares surround you, And sudden dread terrifies you,
[11] Or darkness, so that you cannot see, And an abundance of water covers you.
[12] Is not God in the height of heaven? Look also at the distant stars, how high they are!
[13] You say, ‘What does God know? Can He judge through the thick darkness?
[14] Clouds are a hiding place for Him, so that He cannot see; And He walks on the vault of heaven.’
[15] Will you keep to the ancient path Which wicked men have trod,
[16] Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundations were washed away by a river?
[17] They said to God, ‘Depart from us!’ And ‘What can the Almighty do to them?’
[18] Yet He filled their houses with good things; But the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
[19] The righteous see and are glad, And the innocent mock them,
[20] Saying, ‘Truly our adversaries are cut off, And their abundance the fire has consumed.’
[21] Yield now and be at peace with Him; Thereby good will come to you.
[22] Please receive instruction from His mouth And establish His words in your heart.
[23] If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent,
[24] And place your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,
[25] Then the Almighty will be your gold And choice silver to you.
[26] For then you will delight in the Almighty And lift up your face to God.
[27] You will pray to Him, and He will hear you; And you will pay your vows.
[28] You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.
[29] When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence, And the humble person He will save.
[30] He will deliver one who is not innocent, And he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”