1And Eliphaz the Temanite answers and says:
2“Is a man profitable to God, || Because a wise man is profitable to himself?
3Is it a delight to the Mighty One || That you are righteous? Is it gain, || That you make your ways perfect?
4Because of your reverence || Does He reason [with] you? He enters with you into judgment:
5Is your wickedness not abundant? And there is no end to your iniquities.
6For you take a pledge of your brother for nothing, || And you strip off the garments of the naked.
7You do not cause the weary to drink water, || And you withhold bread from the hungry.
8As for the man of arm—he has the earth, || And the accepted of face—he dwells in it.
9You have sent widows away empty, || And the arms of the fatherless are bruised.
10Therefore snares [are] all around you, || And sudden fear troubles you.
11Or darkness—you do not see, || And abundance of waters covers you.
12Is God not high [in] the heavens? And see the summit of the stars, || That they are high.
13And you have said, How has God known? Does He judge through thickness?
14Thick clouds [are] a secret place to Him, || And He does not see, || And He habitually walks [above] the circle of the heavens.
15Do you observe the path of the age, || That men of iniquity have trodden,
16Who have been cut down unexpectedly? A flood is poured out on their foundation.
17Those saying to God, Turn aside from us, || And what does the Mighty One do to them?
18And He has filled their houses [with] good (And the counsel of the wicked || Has been far from me).
19The righteous see and they rejoice, || And the innocent mocks at them:
20Surely our substance has not been cut off, || And fire has consumed their excellence.
21Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace, || Thereby your increase [is] good.
22Please receive a law from His mouth, || And set His sayings in your heart.
23If you return to the Mighty you are built up, || You put iniquity far from your tents.
24So as to set a defense on the dust, || And a covering on a rock of the valleys.
25And the Mighty has been your defense, || And silver [is] strength to you.
26For then you delight yourself on the Mighty, || And lift up your face to God,
27You make supplication to Him, || And He hears you, || And you complete your vows.
28And you decree a saying, || And it is established to you, || And light has shone on your ways.
29For they have made low, || And you say, Lift up. And He saves the bowed down of eyes.
30He delivers the one [who is] not innocent, || Indeed, he has been delivered || By the cleanness of your hands.”