[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
[2] Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?
[3] Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? or is it gain to him, that you make your ways perfect?
[4] Will he reprove you for fear of you? will he enter with you into judgment?
[5] Is not your wickedness great? and your iniquities infinite?
[6] For you have taken a pledge from your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
[7] You have not given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.
[8] But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honorable man dwelled in it.
[9] You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
[10] Therefore snares are round about you, and sudden fear troubles you;
[11] Or darkness, that you can not see; and abundance of waters cover you.
[12] Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
[13] And you say, How does God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
[14] Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he sees not; and he walks in the circuit of heaven.
[15] Have you marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
[16] Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflowed with a flood:
[17] Which said to God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?
[18] Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
[19] The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.
[20] Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumes.
[21] Acquaint now yourself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come to you.
[22] Receive, I pray you, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.
[23] If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, you shall put away iniquity far from your tabernacles.
[24] Then shall you lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
[25] Yes, the Almighty shall be your defense, and you shall have plenty of silver.
[26] For then shall you have your delight in the Almighty, and shall lift up your face to God.
[27] You shall make your prayer to him, and he shall hear you, and you shall pay your vows.
[28] You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established to you: and the light shall shine on your ways.
[29] When men are cast down, then you shall say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
[30] He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of your hands.