1 T hen Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

2 “ If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

3 S urely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.

4 Y our words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees;

5 B ut now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled.

6 I s not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope?

7 “ Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off?

8 E ven as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same.

9 B y the blast of God they perish, And by the breath of His anger they are consumed.

10 T he roaring of the lion, The voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions are broken.

11 T he old lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

12 “ Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it.

13 I n disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men,

14 F ear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones shake.

15 T hen a spirit passed before my face; The hair on my body stood up.

16 I t stood still, But I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; There was silence; Then I heard a voice saying:

17 ‘ Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?

18 I f He puts no trust in His servants, If He charges His angels with error,

19 H ow much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before a moth?

20 T hey are broken in pieces from morning till evening; They perish forever, with no one regarding.

21 D oes not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.’