Add parallel Print Page Options

15 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

“Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge,
    and fill himself with the east wind?
Should he reason with unprofitable talk,
    or with speeches with which he can do no good?
Yes, you do away with fear,
    and hinder devotion before God.
For your iniquity teaches your mouth,
    and you choose the language of the crafty.
Your own mouth condemns you, and not I.
    Yes, your own lips testify against you.

“Are you the first man who was born?
    Or were you brought out before the hills?
Have you heard the secret counsel of God?
    Do you limit wisdom to yourself?
What do you know that we don’t know?
    What do you understand which is not in us?
10 With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men,
    much older than your father.
11 Are the consolations of God too small for you,
    even the word that is gentle toward you?
12 Why does your heart carry you away?
    Why do your eyes flash,
13 that you turn your spirit against God,
    and let such words go out of your mouth?

Read full chapter

Eliphaz Speaks: Job Undermines Religion

15 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:

“Should the wise answer with windy knowledge
    and fill themselves with the east wind?(A)
Should they argue in unprofitable talk
    or in words that can do no good?
But you are doing away with the fear of God
    and hindering meditation before God.
For your iniquity teaches your mouth,
    and you choose the tongue of the crafty.(B)
Your own mouth condemns you, not I;
    your own lips testify against you.(C)

“Are you the firstborn of the human race?
    Were you brought forth before the hills?(D)
Have you listened in the council of God?
    And do you limit wisdom to yourself?(E)
What do you know that we do not know?
    What do you understand that is not clear to us?(F)
10 The gray-haired and the aged are on our side,
    those older than your father.(G)
11 Are the consolations of God too small for you
    or the word that deals gently with you?(H)
12 Why does your heart carry you away,
    and why do your eyes flash,[a]
13 so that you turn your spirit against God,
    and let such words go out of your mouth?(I)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 15.12 Meaning of Heb uncertain