1. Eliphaz from Teman said:
2. What use are we humansto God,even the wisest of us?
3. If you were completely sinless,that would still mean nothingto God All-Powerful.
4. Is he correcting youfor worshipping him?
5. No! It's becauseof your terrible sins.
6. To guarantee payment of a debt,you have taken clothesfrom the poor.
7. And you refused bread and waterto the hungry and thirsty,
8. although you were rich,respected, and powerful.
9. You have turned away widowsand have broken the armsof orphans.
10. That's why you were suddenlytrapped by terror,
11. blinded by darkness,and drowned in a flood.
12. God lives in the heavensabove the highest stars,where he sees everything.
13. Do you think the deep darknesshides you from God?
14. Do thick clouds cover his eyes,as he walks around heaven's domehigh above the earth?
15. Give up those ancient ideasbelieved by sinners,
16. who were swept awaywithout warning.
17. They rejected God All-Powerful,feeling he was helpless,
18. although he had been kindto their families.The beliefs of these sinnersare truly disgusting.
19. When God's people seethe godless swept away,they celebrate,
20. saying,“Our enemies are gone,and fire has destroyedtheir possessions.”
21. Surrender to God All-Powerful!You will find peaceand prosperity.
22. Listen to his teachingsand take them to heart.
23. If you return to Godand turn from sin,all will go well for you.
24. So get rid of your finest gold,as though it were sand.
25. Let God All-Powerfulbe your silver and gold,
26. and you will find happinessby worshipping him.
27. God will answer your prayers,and you will keep the promisesyou made to him.
28. He will do whatever you ask,and life will be bright.
29. When others are disgraced,God will clear their namesin answer to your prayers.
30. Even those who are guiltywill be forgiven,because you obey God.