Read the Bible

Eliphaz: Can a Man Be of Use to God?

Verse1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Verse2“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?

Verse3Does it delight the Almighty that you are righteous? Does He profit if your ways are blameless?

Verse4Is it for your reverence that He rebukes you and enters into judgment against you?

Verse5Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless?

Verse6For you needlessly demanded security from your brothers and deprived the naked of their clothing.

Verse7You gave no water to the weary and withheld food from the famished,

Verse8while the land belonged to a mighty man, and a man of honor lived on it.

Verse9You sent widows away empty-handed, and the strength of the fatherless was crushed.

Verse10Therefore snares surround you, and sudden peril terrifies you;

Verse11it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

Verse12Is not God as high as the heavens? Look at the highest stars, how lofty they are!

Verse13Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness?

Verse14Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven. ’

Verse15Will you stay on the ancient path that wicked men have trod?

Verse16They were snatched away before their time, and their foundations were swept away by a flood.

Verse17They said to God, ‘Depart from us. What can the Almighty do to us?’

Verse18But it was He who filled their houses with good things; so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.

Verse19The righteous see it and are glad; the innocent mock them:

Verse20‘Surely our foes are destroyed, and fire has consumed their excess.’

Verse21Reconcile now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you.

Verse22Receive instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.

Verse23If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored. If you remove injustice from your tents

Verse24and consign your gold to the dust and the gold of Ophir to the stones of the ravines,

Verse25then the Almighty will be your gold and the finest silver for you.

Verse26Surely then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.

Verse27You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.

Verse28Your decisions will be carried out, and light will shine on your ways.

Verse29When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then He will save the lowly.

Verse30He will deliver even one who is not innocent, rescuing him through the cleanness of your hands.”