The Book of Job

And Eliphaz the Temanite answers and says:

“Is a man profitable to God, || Because a wise man is profitable to himself?

Is it a delight to the Mighty One || That you are righteous? Is it gain, || That you make your ways perfect?

Because of your reverence || Does He reason [with] you? He enters with you into judgment:

Is your wickedness not abundant? And there is no end to your iniquities.

For you take a pledge of your brother for nothing, || And you strip off the garments of the naked.

You do not cause the weary to drink water, || And you withhold bread from the hungry.

As for the man of arm—he has the earth, || And the accepted of face—he dwells in it.

You have sent widows away empty, || And the arms of the fatherless are bruised.

Therefore snares [are] all around you, || And sudden fear troubles you.

Or darkness—you do not see, || And abundance of waters covers you.

Is God not high [in] the heavens? And see the summit of the stars, || That they are high.

And you have said, How has God known? Does He judge through thickness?

Thick clouds [are] a secret place to Him, || And He does not see, || And He habitually walks [above] the circle of the heavens.

Do you observe the path of the age, || That men of iniquity have trodden,

Who have been cut down unexpectedly? A flood is poured out on their foundation.

Those saying to God, Turn aside from us, || And what does the Mighty One do to them?

And He has filled their houses [with] good (And the counsel of the wicked || Has been far from me).

The righteous see and they rejoice, || And the innocent mocks at them:

Surely our substance has not been cut off, || And fire has consumed their excellence.

Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace, || Thereby your increase [is] good.

Please receive a law from His mouth, || And set His sayings in your heart.

If you return to the Mighty you are built up, || You put iniquity far from your tents.

So as to set a defense on the dust, || And a covering on a rock of the valleys.

And the Mighty has been your defense, || And silver [is] strength to you.

For then you delight yourself on the Mighty, || And lift up your face to God,

You make supplication to Him, || And He hears you, || And you complete your vows.

And you decree a saying, || And it is established to you, || And light has shone on your ways.

For they have made low, || And you say, Lift up. And He saves the bowed down of eyes.

He delivers the one [who is] not innocent, || Indeed, he has been delivered || By the cleanness of your hands.”