1Then Eliphaz, the Temanite, answered Job and said, 2“Should a wise man utter vain thoughts, and fill his belly with the east wind? 3Should he dispute using vain words? Or with unprofitable speeches? 4Yea, you exhibit boldness, rather than fear, and neglect prayer before God. 5Your own mouth reveals your iniquity, as your tongue utters cunning words. 6Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; yea, your own lips testify against you. 7Are you the first man that was born? Were you made before the hills? 8Have you access to the secret counsel of God? Do you claim exclusive wisdom for yourself? 9What do you know, that we do not? What do you understand, that we do not? 10With us are both gray-headed and very old men, much older than your father. 11Are the consolations of God small in your eyes? Is there any secret thing with you? 12Why do you let your emotions carry you away? And what do your eyes wink at, 13That you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth? 14What is man, that he should be clean? And he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? 15Behold, God puts no trust in His holy ones {saints}; indeed, the heavens are not clean in His sight. 16How much less mortals, who drink up evil like water? 17“I will inform you; hear me, and I will declare what I have seen, 18What wise men have passed on from their fathers, and have not hidden; 19To whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them. 20The wicked man travails with pain all his days, and the number of his years is stored up for him. 21A dreadful sound is in his ears; in the middle of prosperity and security, destruction shall come upon him. 22He does not believe that he shall escape the realm of darkness, and he is destined for the sword. 23He wanders abroad seeking food, saying, ‘Where is it?’ He knows that the day of darkness is already at hand. 24Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to attack, 25Because he stretches out his hand against God, and behaves arrogantly against the Almighty. 26He runs headlong at Him, with a heavily embossed shield, 27Because his face is covered with fatness, and added lumps of fat are on his flanks. 28And he dwells in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabits, which are ready to become heaps. 29He shall not be rich, nor shall his wealth endure, nor prolong its perfection upon the earth. 30He shall not avoid darkness; the flame (of God‘s wrath) shall consume his branches; by the breath of His mouth shall he go away. 31Let him that is deceived not trust in vanity; for vanity shall be his reward. 32It shall be accomplished in his lifetime, and his green branch shall wither. 33His unripe grapes shall not ripen on the vine, like an olive tree casting off its blossoms. 34For the congregation of godless hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery. 35They conceive mischief, and bring forth evil, and their heart prepares deceit.” Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |