1 T hen Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

2 C an a man be profitable to God? Surely he that is wise is profitable to himself.

3 I s it any pleasure or advantage to the Almighty that you are righteous (upright and in right standing with Him)? Or is it gain to Him that you make your ways perfect?

4 I s it for your fear of Him that He reproves you, that He enters with you into judgment?

5 I s not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities.

6 F or you have taken pledges of your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing.

7 Y ou have not given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.

8 B ut the man with power possessed the land, and the favored and accepted man dwelt in it.

9 Y ou have sent widows away empty-handed, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

10 T herefore snares are round about you, and sudden fear troubles and overwhelms you;

11 Y our light is darkened, so that you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

12 I s not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

13 T herefore you say, How and what does God know ? Can He judge through the thick darkness?

14 T hick clouds are a covering to Him, so that He does not see, and He walks on the vault of the heavens.

15 W ill you pay attention and keep to the old way that wicked men trod,

16 M en who were snatched away before their time, whose foundations were poured out like a stream ?

17 T hey said to God, Depart from us, and, What can the Almighty do for or to us?

18 Y et He filled their houses with good. But the counsel of the ungodly is far from me.

19 T he righteous see it and are glad; and the innocent laugh them to scorn,

20 S urely those who rose up against us are cut off, and that which remained to them the fire has consumed.

21 A cquaint now yourself with Him and be at peace; by that good shall come to you.

22 R eceive, I pray you, the law and instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart.

23 I f you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents,

24 I f you lay gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brook,

25 A nd make the Almighty your gold and your precious silver treasure,

26 T hen you will have delight in the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God.

27 Y ou will make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you, and you will pay your vows.

28 Y ou shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light shall shine upon your ways.

29 W hen they make low, you will say, a lifting up; and the humble person He lifts up and saves.

30 H e will even deliver the one who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.