Read the Bible

Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God

Verse1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Verse2“Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill his belly with the hot east wind?

Verse3Should he argue with useless words or speeches that serve no purpose?

Verse4But you even undermine the fear of God and hinder meditation before Him.

Verse5For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.

Verse6Your own mouth, not mine, condemns you; your own lips testify against you.

Verse7Were you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?

Verse8Do you listen in on the council of God or limit wisdom to yourself?

Verse9What do you know that we do not? What do you understand that is not clear to us?

Verse10Both the gray-haired and the aged are on our side— men much older than your father.

Verse11Are the consolations of God not enough for you, even words spoken gently to you?

Verse12Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash,

Verse13so that you turn your spirit against God and pour such words from your mouth?

Verse14What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

Verse15If God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes,

Verse16how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?

Verse17Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen,

Verse18what was declared by wise men and was not concealed from their fathers,

Verse19to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them.

Verse20A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.

Verse21Sounds of terror fill his ears; in his prosperity the destroyer attacks him.

Verse22He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.

Verse23He wanders about as food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand.

Verse24Distress and anguish terrify him, overwhelming him like a king poised to attack.

Verse25For he has stretched out his hand against God and has vaunted himself against the Almighty,

Verse26rushing headlong at Him with a thick, studded shield.

Verse27Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with flesh,

Verse28he will dwell in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become rubble.

Verse29He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not overspread the land.

Verse30He will not escape from the darkness; the flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away.

Verse31Let him not deceive himself with trust in emptiness, for emptiness will be his reward.

Verse32It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish.

Verse33He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.

Verse34For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of bribery.

Verse35They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb is pregnant with deceit.”