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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)

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Footnotes

  1. 15.12 Meaning of Heb uncertain

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 person 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,
men 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. Job 15:2 Lit windy; Jb 16:3
  2. Job 15:2 Lit his belly
  3. Job 15:13 Or spirit