| 1 | Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said, |
| 2 | Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself. |
| 3 | Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin? |
| 4 | Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you? |
| 5 | Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins. |
| 6 | For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it. |
| 7 | You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread. |
| 8 | For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it. |
| 9 | You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father. |
| 10 | For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear. |
| 11 | Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters. |
| 12 | Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are! |
| 13 | And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark? |
| 14 | Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven. |
| 15 | Will you keep the old way by which evil men went? |
| 16 | Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters: |
| 17 | Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us? |
| 18 | Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me! |
| 19 | The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them, |
| 20 | Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire. |
| 21 | Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings. |
| 22 | Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart. |
| 23 | If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents; |
| 24 | And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys; |
| 25 | Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver; |
| 26 | For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God. |
| 27 | You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths. |
| 28 | Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways. |
| 29 | For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit. |
| 30 | He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours. |
