|
[1]Then Eliphaz the Thaemanite answered and said,
[2]Is it not the Lord that teaches understanding and knowledge?
[3]For what matters it to the Lord, if thou wert blameless in thy works? or is it profitable that thou shouldest perfect thy way?
[4]Wilt thou maintain and plead thine own cause? and will he enter into judgment with thee?
[5]Is not thy wickedness abundant, and thy sins innumerable?
[6]And thou hast taken security of thy brethren for nothing, and hast taken away the clothing of the naked.
[7]Neither hast thou given water to the thirsty to drink, but hast taken away the morsel of the hungry.
[8]And thou hast accepted the persons of some; and thou hast established those that were already settled on the earth.
[9]But thou hast sent widows away empty, and has afflicted orphans.
[10]Therefore snares have compassed thee, and disastrous war has troubled thee.
[11]The light has proved darkness to thee, and water has covered thee on thy lying down.
[12]Does not he that dwells in the high places observe? and has he not brought down the proud?
[13]And thou has said, What does the Mighty One know? does he judge in the dark?
[14]A cloud is his hiding-place, and he shall not be seen; and he passes through the circle of heaven.
[15]Wilt thou not mark the old way, which righteous men have trodden?
[16]who were seized before their time: their foundations are as an overflowing stream.
[17]Who say, What will the Lord do to us? or what will the Almighty bring upon us?
[18]Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel for the wicked is far from him.
[19]The righteous have seen it, and laughed, and the blameless one has derided them.
[20]Verily their substance has been utterly destroyed, and the fire shall devour what is left of their property.
[21]Be firm, I pray thee, if thou canst endure; then thy fruit shall prosper.
[22]And receive a declaration from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
[23]And if thou shalt turn and humble thyself before the Lord, thou hast thus removed unrighteousness far from thy habitation.
[24]Thou shalt lay up for thyself treasure in a heap on the rock; and Sophir shall be as the rock of the torrent.
[25]So the Almighty shall be thy helper from enemies, and he shall bring thee forth pure as silver that has been tried by fire.
[26]Then shalt thou have boldness before the Lord, looking up cheerfully to heaven.
[27]And he shall hear thee when thou prayest to him, and he shall grant thee power to pay thy vows.
[28]And he shall establish to thee again a habitation of righteousness and there shall be light upon thy paths.
[29]Because thou hast humbled thyself; and thou shalt say, Man has behaved proudly, but he shall save him that is of lowly eyes.
[30]He shall deliver the innocent, and do thou save thyself by thy pure hands.
|