^{1 Ref} Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

^{2 Ref} If one assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

^{3 Ref} Behold, thou hast instructed many, And thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

^{4 Ref} Thy words have upholden him that was falling, And thou hast made firm the feeble knees.

^{5 Ref} But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

^{6 Ref} Is not thy fear `of God' thy confidence, `And' the integrity of thy ways thy hope?

^{7 Ref} Remember, I pray thee, who `ever' perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?

^{8 Ref} According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, And sow trouble, reap the same.

^{9 Ref} By the breath of God they perish, And by the blast of his anger are they consumed.

^{10 Ref} The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

^{11 Ref} The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, And the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.

^{12 Ref} Now a thing was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof.

^{13 Ref} In thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falleth on men,

^{14 Ref} Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones to shake.

^{15 Ref} Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair of my flesh stood up.

^{16 Ref} 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 Ref} Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?

^{18 Ref} Behold, he putteth no trust in his servants; And his angels he chargeth with folly:

^{19 Ref} How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!

^{20 Ref} Betwixt morning and evening they are destroyed: They perish for ever without any regarding it.

^{21 Ref} Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.

^{1 Ref} And Eliphaz the Temanite answereth and saith: --

^{2 Ref} Hath one tried a word with thee? -- Thou art weary! And to keep in words who is able?

^{3 Ref} Lo, thou hast instructed many, And feeble hands thou makest strong.

^{4 Ref} The stumbling one do thy words raise up, And bowing knees thou dost strengthen.

^{5 Ref} But now, it cometh in unto thee, And thou art weary; It striketh unto thee, and thou art troubled.

^{6 Ref} Is not thy reverence thy confidence? Thy hope -- the perfection of thy ways?

^{7 Ref} Remember, I pray thee, Who, being innocent, hath perished? And where have the upright been cut off?

^{8 Ref} As I have seen -- ploughers of iniquity, And sowers of misery, reap it!

^{9 Ref} From the breath of God they perish, And from the spirit of His anger consumed.

^{10 Ref} The roaring of a lion, And the voice of a fierce lion, And teeth of young lions have been broken.

^{11 Ref} An old lion is perishing without prey, And the whelps of the lioness do separate.

^{12 Ref} And unto me a thing is secretly brought, And receive doth mine ear a little of it.

^{13 Ref} In thoughts from visions of the night, In the falling of deep sleep on men,

^{14 Ref} Fear hath met me, and trembling, And the multitude of my bones caused to fear.

^{15 Ref} And a spirit before my face doth pass, Stand up doth the hair of my flesh;

^{16 Ref} It standeth, and I discern not its aspect, A similitude `is' over-against mine eyes, Silence! and a voice I hear:

^{17 Ref} `Is mortal man than God more righteous? Than his Maker is a man cleaner?

^{18 Ref} Lo, in His servants He putteth no credence, Nor in His messengers setteth praise.'

^{19 Ref} Also -- the inhabitants of houses of clay, (Whose foundation `is' in the dust, They bruise them before a moth.)

^{20 Ref} From morning to evening are beaten down, Without any regarding, for ever they perish.

^{21 Ref} Hath not their excellency been removed with them? They die, and not in wisdom!