1 T hen Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

2 “ If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

3 B ehold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands.

4 Y our words have supported him who was falling, You have made firm the feeble knees.

5 B ut now it has come to you, and you faint. It touches you, and you are troubled.

6 I sn’t your piety your confidence? Isn’t the integrity of your ways your hope?

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

8 A ccording to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity, and sow trouble, reap the same.

9 B y the breath of God they perish. By the blast of his anger are they consumed.

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

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

12 “ Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it.

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

14 f ear came on me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.

15 T hen a spirit passed before my face. The hair of my flesh stood up.

16 I t stood still, but I couldn’t discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes. Silence, then I heard a voice, saying,

17 ‘ Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?

18 B ehold, he puts no trust in his servants. 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 the moth!

20 B etween morning and evening they are destroyed. They perish forever without any regarding it.

21 I sn’t their tent cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.’