[1] Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
[2] If one assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
[3] Behold, thou hast instructed many, And thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
[4] Thy words have upholden him that was falling, And thou hast made firm the feeble knees.
[5] But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
[6] Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, And the integrity of thy ways thy hope?
[7] Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
[8] According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, And sow trouble, reap the same.
[9] By the breath of God they perish, And by the blast of his anger are they consumed.
[10] The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
[11] The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
[12] Now a thing was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof.
[13] In thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falleth on men,
[14] Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones to shake.
[15] Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair of my flesh stood up.
[16] It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; A form was before mine eyes: There was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
[17] Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?
[18] Behold, he putteth no trust in his servants; And his angels he chargeth with folly:
[19] How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!
[20] Betwixt morning and evening they are destroyed: They perish for ever without any regarding it.
[21] Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.