1Then Elifaz [my God is (fine) gold] the Temani [southward] answered and said,

2[If] we assay to commune with youⁱ, will youⁱ be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

3Behold, youⁱ have instructed many, and youⁱ have strengthened the weak hands.

4You1s words have upholden him that was falling, and youⁱ have strengthened the feeble knees.

5But now it is come upon youⁱ, and youⁱ faintest; it touches youⁱ, and youⁱ are troubled.

6[Is] not [this] yourⁱ fear, yourⁱ confidence, yourⁱ hope, and the uprightness of yourⁱ ways?

7Remember, I pray youⁱ, who [ever] perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?

8Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

9By the blast of God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

10The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

11The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.

12Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a little thereof.

13In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,

14Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

15Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:

16It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image [was] before my eyes, [there was] silence, and I heard a voice, [saying],

17Shall mortal man be more just than God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

18Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:

19How much less [in] them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation [is] in the dust, [which] are crushed before the moth?

20They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish forever without any regarding [it].

21Does not their excellency [which is] in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.