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Eliphaz Says Job’s Lips Answer Against Him

15 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

“Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge
(A)And fill his belly with the east wind?
Should he argue with a word that cannot be used,
Or with speech which is not profitable?
Indeed, you annul reverent fear
And cut off musing before God.
For (B)your iniquity teaches your mouth,
And you choose the tongue of (C)the crafty.
Your (D)own mouth condemns you, and not I;
And your own lips answer against you.

“Were you the first man to be born,
Or (E)were you brought forth before the hills?
Do you hear the (F)secret counsel of God,
And cut down wisdom only unto yourself?
(G)What do you know that we do not know?
What do you understand that is not with us?
10 Both the (H)gray-haired and the aged are among us,
Older than your father.
11 Are (I)the consolations of God too small for you,
Even the (J)word spoken gently with you?
12 Why does your (K)heart take you away?
And why do your eyes flash,
13 That you should turn your spirit against God
And allow such words to go out of your mouth?

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Round Two: Eliphaz’s Speech

15 Eliphaz the Temanite responded:

Does a wise man answer with windy bluster?
Does he fill his belly with the hot east wind?
Does he support his arguments with useless talk,
with words that provide no benefit?

But you even tear down reverence.
You hinder thoughtful reflection in the presence of God.
Your guilt instructs your mouth.
You choose deceptive language.
Your own mouth condemns you, not mine.
Your own lips testify against you.
Were you the first man to be born?
Were you brought forth before the hills?
Do you listen in on the council meetings of God?
Do you lay claim to all wisdom for yourself?
What do you know that we do not know as well?
What do you understand that we do not?
10 The gray-haired and the aged are on our side,
men older than your father.
11 Are the consolations of God too small for you?
Do you think nothing of the gentle words spoken to you?
12 Why does your heart carry you away?
Why do your eyes flash with such anger?
13 Why do you turn your spirit against God?
Why do you allow such words to pour out of your mouth?

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