1Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded and said,

2“How can anyone be of help to God? Even wise people are only helpful to themselves.

3Is it any benefit to the Almighty if you're a good person? ¹³⁸What does he gain if you do what's right?

4Does he correct you and bring charges against you because of your reverence? ¹³⁹

5No: it's because you're so wicked! Your sins are never-ending!

6For no reason at all you took your brother's clothing as a security for a debt, and left them stripped naked.

7You refused water to the thirsty; you denied food to the hungry.

8Is it because the land belongs to the powerful, and only the privileged have a right to live there? ¹⁴⁰

9You have sent widows away empty-handed; you have crushed the outstretched arms of orphans, begging for help. ¹⁴¹

10That's why you're surrounded by traps to catch you, and why you suddenly panic in terror.

11That's why it's so dark you cannot see, and why you feel like you're drowning. ¹⁴²

12Doesn't God live high in heaven and looks down on even the highest stars?

13But you ask, ‘What does God know? How can he see and judge what happens down here in darkness?

14Thick clouds cover him so he can't see anything as he walks around in heaven.’ ¹⁴³

15Why do you insist on following the traditional thinking of the wicked? ¹⁴⁴

16They were taken before their time; all they had built was washed away.

17They had told God, ‘Get lost! What can the Almighty do to us?’

18And yet he was the one who had filled their homes with good things—but I don't accept their way of thinking. ¹⁴⁵

19Those who do right rejoice when they see the destruction of the wicked, ¹⁴⁶and the innocent mock them,

20saying, ‘Our enemies are destroyed, and fire has burned up all that's left of them.’

21Come back to God and be reconciled to him, and you'll be prosperous again.

22Listen to what he tells you and keep his words in mind.

23If you return to God you will be restored. If you renounce your sinful life ¹⁴⁷

24and give up your love of money and desire for possessions, ¹⁴⁸

25then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver.

26Then you will find delight in the Almighty, and be able to face him without feeling ashamed.

27You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will keep your promises to him.

28Whatever you decide to do will be successful, and wherever you go, light will shine on you.

29When others are humbled, and you say, ‘please help them,’ God will save them.

30God saves those who are innocent, and you will be saved if you do what is right.” ¹⁴⁹