Eliphaz Accuses: Job Does Not Fear God

15 Then (A)Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

“Should (B)a wise man answer with (C)windy knowledge,
    and fill his (D)belly with (E)the east wind?
Should he argue in unprofitable talk,
    or in words with which he can do no good?
But you are doing away with the fear of God[a]
    and hindering meditation before God.
For your iniquity teaches your mouth,
    and you choose the tongue of the crafty.
Your (F)own mouth condemns you, and not I;
    (G)your own lips testify against you.

(H)“Are you the first man who was born?
    Or (I)were you brought forth (J)before the hills?
Have you listened in (K)the council of God?
    And do you limit wisdom to yourself?
(L)What do you know that we do not know?
    What do you understand that is not clear to us?
10 (M)Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us,
    older than your father.
11 Are the comforts of God too small for you,
    or the word that deals gently with you?
12 Why does your heart carry you away,
    and why do your eyes flash,
13 that you turn your (N)spirit against God
    and bring such words out of your mouth?

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Footnotes

  1. Job 15:4 Hebrew lacks of God

Second Series of Speeches

Eliphaz Speaks

15 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Does a wise man answer with empty[a] counsel(A)
or fill himself[b] with the hot east wind?
Should he argue(B) with useless talk
or with words that serve no good purpose?
But you even undermine the fear of God
and hinder meditation before him.
Your iniquity(C) teaches you what to say,
and you choose the language of the crafty.
Your own mouth condemns you, not I;
your own lips testify against you.(D)

Were you the first human ever born,
or were you brought forth before the hills?(E)
Do you listen in on the council of God,
or have a monopoly on wisdom?(F)
What do you know that we don’t?
What do you understand that is not clear to us?
10 Both the gray-haired and the elderly are with us—
older than your father.
11 Are God’s consolations not enough for you,
even the words that deal gently with you?
12 Why has your heart misled you,
and why do your eyes flash
13 as you turn your anger[c] against God
and allow such words to leave your mouth?

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Footnotes

  1. 15:2 Lit windy; Jb 16:3
  2. 15:2 Lit his belly
  3. 15:13 Or spirit