Job 15:1-21 ▼

1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?

3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches with which he can do no good?

4 Yes, you cast off fear, and restrain prayer before God.

5 For your mouth utters your iniquity, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.

6 Your own mouth comdemns you, and not I: yes, your own lips testify against you.

7 Are you the first man that was born? or were you made before the hills?

8 Have you heard the secret of God? and do you restrain wisdom to yourself?

9 What know you, that we know not? what understand you, which is not in us?

10 With us are both the gray headed and very aged men, much elder than your father.

11 Are the consolations of God small with you? is there any secret thing with you?

12 Why does your heart carry you away? and what do your eyes wink at,

13 That you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth?

14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

15 Behold, he puts no trust in his saints; yes, the heavens are not clean in his sight.

16 How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinks iniquity like water?

17 I will show you, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare;

18 Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it:

19 To whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.

20 The wicked man travails with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.

21 A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come on him.