1. Eliphaz from Teman said:
2. Please be patient and listento what I have to say.
3-4. Remember how your wordshave guided and encouragedmany in need.
5. But now you feel discouragedwhen struck by trouble.
6. You respect God and live right,so don't lose hope!
7. No truly innocent personhas ever died young.
8. In my experience, only thosewho plant seeds of evilharvest trouble,
9. and then they are swept awayby the angry breath of God.
10. They may roar and growllike powerful lions.But when God breaks their teeth,
11. they starve, and their childrenare scattered.
12. A secret was told to mein a faint whisper—
13. I was overcome by sleep,but disturbed by dreams;
14. I trembled with fear,
15. and my hair stood on end,as a wind blew past my face.
16. It stopped and stood still.Then a form appeared—a shapeless form.And from the silence,I heard a voice say,
17. “No humans are innocentin the eyes of Godtheir Creator.
18. He finds fault with his servantsand even with his angels.
19. Humans are formed from clayand are fragile as moths,so what chance do you have?
20. Born after daybreak,you die before nightfalland disappear for ever.
21. Your tent pegs are pulled up,and you leave this life,having gained no wisdom.”