1. Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2. “Can a person do anything to help God?Can even a wise person be helpful to him?
3. Is it any advantage to the Almighty if you are righteous?Would it be any gain to him if you were perfect?
4. Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses youand brings judgment against you?
5. No, it’s because of your wickedness!There’s no limit to your sins.
6. “For example, you must have lent money to your friendand demanded clothing as security.Yes, you stripped him to the bone.
7. You must have refused water for the thirstyand food for the hungry.
8. You probably think the land belongs to the powerfuland only the privileged have a right to it!
9. You must have sent widows away empty-handedand crushed the hopes of orphans.
10. That is why you are surrounded by trapsand tremble from sudden fears.
11. That is why you cannot see in the darkness,and waves of water cover you.
12. “God is so great—higher than the heavens,higher than the farthest stars.
13. But you reply, ‘That’s why God can’t see what I am doing!How can he judge through the thick darkness?
14. For thick clouds swirl about him, and he cannot see us.He is way up there, walking on the vault of heaven.’