1 Eliphaz from Teman* said:

2 Please be patient and listen

to what I have to say.

* 3 Remember how your words

4 have guided and encouraged

many in need.

5 But now you feel discouraged

when struck by trouble.

6 You respect God and live right,

so don't lose hope!

7 No truly innocent person

has ever died young.

8 In my experience, only those

who plant seeds of evil

harvest trouble,

9 and then they are swept away

by the angry breath of God.

10 They may roar and growl

like powerful lions.

But when God breaks their teeth,

11 they starve, and their children

are scattered.

12 A secret was told to me

in a faint whisper—

13 * I was overcome by sleep,

but disturbed by dreams;

14 I trembled with fear,

15 and my hair stood on end,

as a wind blew past my face.

16 It stopped and stood still.

Then a form appeared—

a shapeless form.

And from the silence,

I heard a voice say,

17 "No humans are innocent

in the eyes of God

their Creator.

18 He finds fault with his servants

and even with his angels.

19 Humans are formed from clay

and are fragile as moths,

so what chance do you have?

20 Born after daybreak,

you die before nightfall

and disappear forever.

21 Your tent pegs are pulled up,

and you leave this life,

having gained no wisdom."