[1] Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded, [2] “If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking? [3] “Behold, you have taught many, And you have strengthened weak hands. [4] “Your words have helped the stumbling to stand, And you have strengthened feeble knees. [5] “But now it comes to you, and you are impatient; It touches you, and you are horrified. [6] “Is your fear of God not your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope? [7] “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed? [8] “According to what I have seen, those who plow wrongdoing And those who sow trouble harvest it. [9] “By the breath of God they perish, And by the blast of His anger they come to an end. [10] “The roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions are broken out. [11] “The lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered. [12] “Now a word was brought to me secretly, And my ear received a whisper of it. [13] “Amid disquieting thoughts from visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on people, [14] Dread came upon me, and trembling, And made all my bones shake. [15] “Then a spirit passed by my face; The hair of my flesh stood up. [16] “Something was standing still, but I could not recognize its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, then I heard a voice: [17] ‘Can mankind be righteous before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? [18] ‘He puts no trust even in His servants; And He accuses His angels of error. [19] ‘How much more those who live in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth! [20] ‘Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces; Unregarded, they perish forever. [21] ‘Is their tent-cord not pulled out within them? They die, yet without wisdom.’
