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Eliphaz Keeps On Talking

¹ "Call now. Is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn? ² To be bitter kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the child-like. ³ I have seen the fool taking root, but right away his house was cursed. ⁴ His sons are far from being safe. They are destroyed in the gate, and there is no one to help them. ⁵ The hungry eat the food of his field. They take it even out of the thorns. And the thirsty want his riches. ⁶ For suffering does not come from the dust. Trouble does not grow out of the ground. ⁷ But man is born to trouble, as fire goes up.

⁸ "But as for me, I would look to God. I would put my troubles before God. ⁹ He does great things, too great for us to understand. He does too many wonderful things for us to number. ¹⁰ He gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields. ¹¹ He puts those who are in low places up to high places. Those who are filled with sorrow are lifted to where they are safe. ¹² He troubles the plans of those who try to fool people, so that their hands cannot do what they plan. ¹³ God gets them into a trap when they use their own wisdom. And the plans of the wise are brought to a quick end. ¹⁴ They meet with darkness during the day, and feel their way at noon as in the night. ¹⁵ But He saves from the sword those in need. He saves the poor from the power of the strong. ¹⁶ So those who have no hope, have hope, and what is not right and good must shut its mouth.

¹⁷ "See, happy is the man to whom God speaks strong words. So do not hate the strong teaching of the All-powerful. ¹⁸ He punishes, but He gives comfort. He hurts, but His hands heal. ¹⁹ He will take you out of six troubles. Yes, in seven, nothing will hurt you. ²⁰ He will keep you from death in times of no food, and from the power of the sword in war. ²¹ You will be hidden from the punishment of the tongue. You will not be afraid of being destroyed when danger comes. ²² You will laugh at danger and times of no food. And you will not be afraid of wild animals. ²³ For you will be in agreement with the stones of the field. And the animals of the field will be at peace with you. ²⁴ You will know that your tent is safe. You will look over what you have and see that nothing is gone. ²⁵ You will know also that your children and children's children will be many. They will be as the grass of the earth. ²⁶ You will come to the grave in full strength, like the grain gathered in when it is time. ²⁷ See, this is what we have found, and it is true. Hear it, and know for yourself."