1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite made answer and said,
2 Is it possible for a man to be of profit to God? No, for a man's wisdom is only of profit to himself.
3 Is it of any interest to the Ruler of all that you are upright? or is it of use to him that your ways are without sin?
4 Is it because you give him honour that he is sending punishment on you and is judging you?
5 Is not your evil-doing great? and there is no end to your sins.
6 For you have taken your brother's goods when he was not in your debt, and have taken away the clothing of those who have need of it.
7 You do not give water to the tired traveller, and from him who has no food you keep back bread.
8 For it was the man with power who had the land, and the man with an honoured name who was living in it.
9 You have sent widows away without hearing their cause, and you have taken away the support of the child who has no father.
10 For this cause nets are round your feet, and you are overcome with sudden fear.
11 Your light is made dark so that you are unable to see, and you are covered by a mass of waters.
12 Is not God as high as heaven? and see the stars, how high they are!
13 And you say, What knowledge has God? is he able to give decisions through the deep dark?
14 Thick clouds are covering him, so that he is unable to see; and he is walking on the arch of heaven.
15 Will you keep the old way by which evil men went?
16 Who were violently taken away before their time, who were overcome by the rush of waters:
17 Who said to God, Go away from us; and, What is the Ruler of all able to do to us?
18 Though he made their houses full of good things: but the purpose of the evil-doers is far from me!
19 The upright saw it and were glad: and those who had done no wrong made sport of them,
20 Saying, Truly, their substance is cut off, and their wealth is food for the fire.
21 Put yourself now in a right relation with him and be at peace: so will you do well in your undertakings.
22 Be pleased to take teaching from his mouth, and let his words be stored up in your heart.
23 If you come back to the Ruler of all, making yourself low before him; if you put evil far away from your tents;
24 And put your gold in the dust, even your gold of Ophir among the rocks of the valleys;
25 Then the Ruler of all will be your gold, and his teaching will be your silver;
26 For then you will have delight in the Ruler of all, and your face will be lifted up to God.
27 You will make your prayer to him, and be answered; and you will give effect to your oaths.
28 Your purposes will come about, and light will be shining on your ways.
29 For God makes low those whose hearts are lifted up, but he is a saviour to the poor in spirit.
30 He makes safe the man who is free from sin, and if your hands are clean, salvation will be yours.
1 Alors Éliphaz, de Théman, prit la parole, et dit:
2 L'homme est-il utile à Dieu?
3 C'est à lui-même que le sage est utile. Le Tout-Puissant a-t-il de l'intérêt à ce que tu sois juste? Gagne-t-il quelque chose à ce que tu marches dans l'intégrité?
4 Est-ce par crainte de toi, qu'il te reprend, et qu'il entre en jugement avec toi?
5 Ta méchanceté n'est-elle pas grande, et tes iniquités ne sont-elles pas sans nombre?
6 Tu exigeais des gages de tes frères, sans motif; tu privais de leurs vêtements ceux qui étaient nus.
7 Tu ne donnais pas d'eau à boire à l'homme altéré, et tu refusais le pain à l'homme affamé.
8 Tu livrais la terre à celui qui était puissant, et celui pour qui tu avais des égards y habitait.
9 Tu renvoyais les veuves les mains vides, et les bras des orphelins étaient brisés.
10 C'est pour cela que les pièges sont autour de toi, qu'une subite frayeur t'épouvante,
11 Ou que les ténèbres t'empêchent de voir, et que le débordement des eaux te submerge.
12 Dieu n'est-il pas là-haut dans les cieux? Regarde le front des étoiles: combien elles sont élevées!
15 Veux-tu suivre l'ancien chemin, où ont marché les hommes d'iniquité,
16 Qui ont été retranchés avant le temps, et dont un fleuve a emporté les fondations,
18 Il avait rempli leurs maisons de biens! (Ah! loin de moi le conseil des méchants!)
19 Les justes le verront et se réjouiront; l'innocent se moquera d'eux:
20 Certainement notre adversaire a été détruit; le feu a dévoré ce qui en restait.
21 Attache-toi donc à Lui, et tu seras en paix, et il t'en arrivera du bien.
22 Reçois de sa bouche l'instruction, et mets ses paroles dans ton coeur.
23 Si tu reviens au Tout-Puissant, tu seras rétabli; éloigne l'iniquité de ta tente,
24 Jette l'or dans la poussière, et l'or d'Ophir dans les rochers des torrents,
25 Et le Tout-Puissant sera ton or, il sera pour toi et argent et trésors.
26 Car alors tu feras tes délices du Tout-Puissant, et tu élèveras ton visage vers Dieu.
27 Tu le supplieras, et il t'exaucera, et tu lui rendras tes voeux.
28 Si tu formes un dessein, il te réussira, et la lumière resplendira sur tes voies.
29 Quand on aura humilié quelqu'un, et que tu diras: Qu'il soit élevé! Dieu délivrera celui qui avait les yeux baissés.
30 Il délivrera le coupable; il sera délivré par la pureté de tes mains.