1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

2 “Can a man be profitable unto God (El), as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? Or is it gain to him, that you makest 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 withholden bread from the hungry.

8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt 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 troubleth you;

11 Or darkness, that you canst not see; and abundance of waters cover you.

12 Is not God (Eloah) in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

13 And you sayest, ‘How doth God (El) know? Can He judge through the dark cloud?’

14 Thick clouds are a covering to Him, that He seeth not; and He walketh in the circuit of heaven.

15 Have you marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?

16 Who were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood;

17 Who said unto God (El), ‘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 consumeth.

21 Acquaint now yourself with him, and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto you.

22 Receive, please, the instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.

23 If you return to the Almighty, you shalt be built up, you shalt put away iniquity far from your tabernacles.

24 Then shalt you lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

25 Yea, the Almighty shall be your defence, and you shalt have plenty of silver.

26 For then shalt you have your delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up your face unto God (Eloah).

27 You shalt make your prayer unto Him, and He shall hear you, and you shalt pay your vows.

28 You shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto you; and the light shall shine upon your ways.

29 When men are cast down, then you shalt say, ‘There is lifting up’; and He shall save the humble person.

30 He delivers even the unclean. So shall you be delivered by the cleanness of your hands.”