Job 15
Second Series of Speeches
Eliphaz Speaks
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:23Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill himself with the hot east wind?4
5Should he argue with useless talk or with words that serve no good purpose?6
7But you even undermine the fear of God and hinder meditation before him.8
9Your iniquity teaches you what to say, and you choose the language of the crafty.10
11Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips testify against you.12
13Were you the first human ever born, or were you brought forth before the hills?14
15Do you listen in on the council of God, or have a monopoly on wisdom?16
17What do you know that we don’t? What do you understand that is not clear to us?18
19Both the gray-haired and the elderly are with us— older than your father.20
21Are God’s consolations not enough for you, even the words that deal gently with you?22
23Why has your heart misled you, and why do your eyes flash24
25as you turn your anger against God and allow such words to leave your mouth?26
27What is a mere human, that he should be pure, or one born of a woman, that he should be righteous?28
29If God puts no trust in his holy ones and the heavens are not pure in his sight,30
31how much less one who is revolting and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?32
33Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen,34
35what the wise have declared and not concealed, that came from their ancestors,36
37to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them.38
39A wicked person writhes in pain all his days, throughout the number of years reserved for the ruthless.40
41Dreadful sounds fill his ears; when he is at peace, a robber attacks him.42
43He doesn’t believe he will return from darkness; he is destined for the sword.44
45He wanders about for food, asking, “Where is it?” He knows the day of darkness is at hand.46
47Trouble and distress terrify him, overwhelming him like a king prepared for battle.48
49For he has stretched out his hand against God and has arrogantly opposed the Almighty.50
51He rushes headlong at him with his thick, studded shields.52
53Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with it,54
55he will dwell in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become piles of rubble.56
57He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not increase in the land.58
59He will not escape from the darkness; flames will wither his shoots, and by the breath of God’s mouth, he will depart.60
61Let him not put trust in worthless things, being led astray, for what he gets in exchange will prove worthless.62
63It will be accomplished before his time, and his branch will not flourish.64
65He will be like a vine that drops its unripe grapes and like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.66
67For the company of the godless will have no children, and fire will consume the tents of those who offer bribes.68
69They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb prepares deception.70