[1] Then Eliphaz from Teman replied to Job, [2] "If someone tries to talk to you, will you become impatient? But who can keep from talking? [3] Certainly, you have instructed many people: When hands were weak, you made them strong. [4] When someone stumbled, you lifted him up with your words. When knees were weak, you gave them strength. [5] But trouble comes to you, and you're impatient. It touches you, and you panic. [6] Doesn't your fear of God give you confidence and your lifetime of integrity give you hope? [7] "Now think about this: Which innocent person ever died an untimely death? Find me a decent person who has been destroyed. [8] Whenever I saw those who plowed wickedness and planted misery, they gathered its harvest. [9] God destroys them with his breath and kills them with a blast of his anger. [10] Though the roar of the lion and the growl of the ferocious lion is loud, the young lions have had their teeth knocked out. [11] The old lions die without any prey to eat, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered. [12] "I was told something secretly and heard something whispered in my ear. [13] With disturbing thoughts from visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on people, [14] fear and trembling came over me, and all my bones shook. [15] A spirit passed in front of me. It made my hair stand on end. [16] Something stood there. I couldn't tell what it was. A vague image was in front of my eyes. I heard a soft voice: [17] 'Can any mortal be righteous to God? Can any human being be pure to his maker?' [18] "You see, God doesn't trust his own servants, and he accuses his angels of making mistakes. [19] How much more will he accuse those who live in clay houses that have their foundation in the dust. Those houses can be crushed quicker than a moth! [20] From morning to evening, they are shattered. They will disappear forever without anyone paying attention. [21] Haven't the ropes of their tent been loosened? Won't they die without wisdom?
