Once again Eliphaz the Temanite took up his theme:“Are any of us strong enough to give God a hand,or smart enough to give him advice?So what if you were righteous—would God Almighty even notice?Even if you gave a perfect performance, do you thinkhe’d applaud?Do you think it’s because he cares about your puritythat he’s disciplining you, putting you on the spot?Hardly! It’s because you’re a first-class moral failure,because there’s no end to your sins.When people came to you for help,you took the shirts off their backs, exploited their helplessness.You wouldn’t so much as give a drink to the thirsty,or food, not even a scrap, to the hungry.And there you sat, strong and honored by everyone,surrounded by immense wealth!You turned poor widows away from your door;heartless, you crushed orphans.Now you’re the one trapped in terror, paralyzed by fear.Suddenly the tables have turned!How do you like living in the dark, sightless,up to your neck in flood waters?