Study Desk

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?

Both the gray-haired and the elderly are with us, men older than your father.

Are God's consolations not enough for you, even the words that deal gently with you?

Why has your heart misled you, and why do your eyes flash

as you turn your anger^[c] against God and allow such words to leave your mouth?

What is man, that he should be pure,^(g) or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

If God puts no trust in His holy ones^(h) and the heavens are not pure in His sight,⁽ⁱ⁾

how much less one who is revolting and corrupt,^(j) who drinks injustice^(k) like water?

Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen,

what was declared by wise men and was not suppressed by their ancestors,^(l)

the land was given to them alone when no foreigner passed among them.

A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few^[d] years are reserved for the ruthless.

Dreadful sounds fill his ears; when he is at peace, a robber attacks him.

He doesn't believe he will return from darkness; he is destined for the sword.^(m)

He wanders about for food, saying, "Where is it?" He knows the day of darkness is at hand.

Trouble⁽ⁿ⁾ and distress terrify him, overwhelming him like a king prepared for battle.

For he has stretched out his hand^(o) against God and has arrogantly opposed the Almighty.

He rushes headlong at Him with his thick, studded shields.

Though his face is covered with fat^[e] and his waistline bulges with it,

he will dwell in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become piles of rubble.^(p)

He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions^[f] will not increase in the land.

He will not escape from the darkness; flames will wither his shoots, and by the breath of God's mouth, he will depart.^(q)

Let him not put trust in worthless things, being led astray, for what he gets in exchange will prove worthless.

It will be accomplished before his time, and his branch will not flourish.

He will be like a vine that drops its unripe grapes^(r) and like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.

For the company of the godless^(s) will have no children, and fire will consume the tents of those who offer bribes.

They conceive trouble^(t) and give birth to evil; their womb^(u) prepares deception.^(v)

Then Job answered:

I have heard many things like these. You are all miserable comforters.^(a)

Is there no end to your empty^[a](b) words? What provokes you that you continue testifying?

If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you.

Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.^(c)

Even if I speak, my suffering is not relieved, and if I hold back, what have I lost?

Surely He^[b] has now exhausted me. You have devastated my entire family.

You have shriveled me up^[c]—it has become a witness; My frailty rises up against me and testifies to my face.

His anger tears at me, and He harasses^(d) me. He gnashes His teeth at me. My enemy pierces me with His eyes.

They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt;^(e) they join themselves together against me.

God hands me over to unjust men;^[d] He throws me into the hands of the wicked.

I was at ease, but He shattered me; He seized me by the scruff of the neck and smashed me to pieces. He set me up as His target;^(f)

His archers^[e] surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy and pours my bile on the ground.

He breaks through my defenses again and again;^[f] He charges at me like a warrior.^(g)

I have sewn sackcloth over my skin; I have buried my strength^[g] in the dust.^(h)

My face has grown red with weeping, and darkness⁽ⁱ⁾ covers my eyes,

although my hands are free from violence^(j) and my prayer is pure.

Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help find no resting place.^(k)

Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is in the heights!^(l)

My friends scoff at me as I weep before God.

I wish that someone might arbitrate between a man and God^(m) just as a man pleads for his friend.

For only a few years will pass before I go the way of no return.