Job 15:1-21 ▼

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded,

2 “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge, And fill himself with the east wind?

3 “Should he argue with useless talk, Or with words which do not benefit?

4 “Indeed, you do away with reverence, And hinder meditation before God.

5 “For your wrongdoing teaches your mouth, And you choose the language of the cunning.

6 “Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; And your own lips testify against you.

7 “Were you the first person to be born, Or were you brought forth before the hills?

8 “Do you hear the secret discussion of God, And limit wisdom to yourself?

9 “What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that we do not?

10 “Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, Older than your father.

11 “Are the consolations of God too little for you, Or the word spoken gently to you?

12 “Why does your heart take you away? And why do your eyes wink,

13 That you can turn your spirit against God And produce such words from your mouth?

14 “What is man, that he would be pure, Or he who is born of a woman, that he would be righteous?

15 “Behold, He has no trust in His holy ones, And the heavens are not pure in His sight;

16 How much less one who is detestable and corrupt: A person who drinks malice like water!

17 “I will tell you, listen to me; And what I have seen I will also declare;

18 What wise people have told, And have not concealed from their fathers,

19 To whom alone the land was given, And no stranger passed among them.

20 “The wicked person writhes in pain all his days, And the years reserved for the ruthless are numbered.

21 “Sounds of terror are in his ears; While he is at peace the destroyer comes upon him.