1 T hen Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

2 “ Should a wise man answer with learning that is of no worth, and fill himself with the east wind?

3 S hould he argue with talk that will not help, or with words that do no good?

4 F or sure you are doing away with the fear of the Lord. You are stopping the quiet worship of God.

5 Y ou show your sin by what you say. You are trying to hide behind your words.

6 Y our own mouth says you are guilty, and not I. Your own lips speak against you.

7 “ Were you the first man to be born? Or were you made before the hills?

8 W ere you there to hear the secret plans of God? Are you the only one who has wisdom?

9 W hat do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not clear to us?

10 M en whose hair has grown white and those who have lived many years are among us. They are older than your father.

11 A re the gentle words spoken to you, which give comfort from God, too little for you?

12 W hy does your heart carry you away? And why do your eyes shine,

13 t hat you turn your spirit against God and let such words go out of your mouth?

14 W hat is man, that he can be pure, or he who is born of a woman, that he can be right and good?

15 S ee, God puts no trust in His holy ones. The heavens are not pure in His eyes.

16 H ow much less one who is hated and sinful, a man who drinks sin like water!

17 “ I will tell you, listen to me. I will make known what I have seen,

18 w hat wise men have told that they learned from their fathers. They have not hidden anything.

19 T hese were the ones to whom the land was given, and no stranger passed among them.

20 T he sinful man suffers in pain all his days. His years are numbered because of all his sin.

21 S ounds of fear are in his ears. When all seems to be going well, the one who destroys will come upon him.

22 H e does not believe that he will be taken away from darkness, and the sword is meant for him.

23 H e goes to look for food, saying, ‘Where is it?’ He knows that a day of darkness is near.

24 T rouble and pain fill him with fear. They have power over him like a king ready for battle.

25 H e has put out his hand against God, and is full of pride against the All-powerful.

26 H e rushes in pride against Him with his big battle-covering.

27 H is face is fat, and his thighs are heavy with fat.

28 H e has lived in cities that have been laid waste, in houses where no one lives which will be destroyed.

29 H e will no longer be rich, and what he has will not last. His grain will come to nothing.

30 H e will not get away from darkness. The fire will dry up his branches, and the breath of God’s mouth will drive him away.

31 L et him not lie to himself and trust in what is empty. For what is empty will be his reward.

32 I t will be paid in full while he still lives, and his branch will not be green.

33 H e will be like the vine that drops off its grapes before they are ready. And he will throw off his flower like the olive tree.

34 T hose who visit the sinful bring no fruit. And fire destroys the tents of those who do wrong.

35 T hey give birth to trouble and bring sin. Their minds plan lies.”