1 T hen 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 O r 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 W ho 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 S aying, ‘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 A nd place your gold in the dust, And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,

25 T hen 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.”