Holman Christian Standard Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: | 1Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: |
2Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill himself with the hot east wind? | 2Does a wise man answer with empty counsel or fill himself with the hot east wind? |
3Should he argue with useless talk or with words that serve no good purpose? | 3Should he argue with useless talk or with words that serve no good purpose? |
4But you even undermine the fear of God and hinder meditation before Him. | 4But you even undermine the fear of God and hinder meditation before him. |
5Your iniquity teaches you what to say, and you choose the language of the crafty. | 5Your iniquity teaches you what to say, and you choose the language of the crafty. |
6Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips testify against you. | 6Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips testify against you. |
7Were you the first person ever born, or were you brought forth before the hills? | 7Were you the first human ever born, or were you brought forth before the hills? |
8Do you listen in on the council of God, or have a monopoly on wisdom? | 8Do you listen in on the council of God, or have a monopoly on wisdom? |
9What do you know that we don't? What do you understand that is not clear to us? | 9What do you know that we don't? What do you understand that is not clear to us? |
10Both the gray-haired and the elderly are with us, men older than your father. | 10Both the gray-haired and the elderly are with us--older than your father. |
11Are God's consolations not enough for you, even the words that deal gently with you? | 11Are God's consolations not enough for you, even the words that deal gently with you? |
12Why has your heart misled you, and why do your eyes flash | 12Why has your heart misled you, and why do your eyes flash |
13as you turn your anger against God and allow such words to leave your mouth? | 13as you turn your anger against God and allow such words to leave your mouth? |
14What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? | 14What is a mere human, that he should be pure, or one born of a woman, that he should be righteous? |
15If God puts no trust in His holy ones and the heavens are not pure in His sight, | 15If God puts no trust in his holy ones and the heavens are not pure in his sight, |
16how much less one who is revolting and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water? | 16how much less one who is revolting and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water? |
17Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen, | 17Listen to me and I will inform you. I will describe what I have seen, |
18what was declared by wise men and was not suppressed by their ancestors, | 18what the wise have declared and not concealed, that came from their ancestors, |
19the land was given to them alone when no foreigner passed among them. | 19to whom alone the land was given when no foreigner passed among them. |
20A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless. | 20A wicked person writhes in pain all his days, throughout the number of years reserved for the ruthless. |
21Dreadful sounds fill his ears; when he is at peace, a robber attacks him. | 21Dreadful sounds fill his ears; when he is at peace, a robber attacks him. |
22He doesn't believe he will return from darkness; he is destined for the sword. | 22He doesn't believe he will return from darkness; he is destined for the sword. |
23He wanders about for food, saying, "Where is it?" He knows the day of darkness is at hand. | 23He wanders about for food, asking, "Where is it?" He knows the day of darkness is at hand. |
24Trouble and distress terrify him, overwhelming him like a king prepared for battle. | 24Trouble and distress terrify him, overwhelming him like a king prepared for battle. |
25For he has stretched out his hand against God and has arrogantly opposed the Almighty. | 25For he has stretched out his hand against God and has arrogantly opposed the Almighty. |
26He rushes headlong at Him with his thick, studded shields. | 26He rushes headlong at him with his thick, studded shields. |
27Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with it, | 27Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with it, |
28he will dwell in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become piles of rubble. | 28he will dwell in ruined cities, in abandoned houses destined to become piles of rubble. |
29He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not increase in the land. | 29He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure. His possessions will not increase in the land. |
30He will not escape from the darkness; flames will wither his shoots, and by the breath of God's mouth, he will depart. | 30He will not escape from the darkness; flames will wither his shoots, and by the breath of God's mouth, he will depart. |
31Let him not put trust in worthless things, being led astray, for what he gets in exchange will prove worthless. | 31Let him not put trust in worthless things, being led astray, for what he gets in exchange will prove worthless. |
32It will be accomplished before his time, and his branch will not flourish. | 32It will be accomplished before his time, and his branch will not flourish. |
33He will be like a vine that drops its unripe grapes and like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms. | 33He will be like a vine that drops its unripe grapes and like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms. |
34For the company of the godless will have no children, and fire will consume the tents of those who offer bribes. | 34For the company of the godless will have no children, and fire will consume the tents of those who offer bribes. |
35They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb prepares deception. | 35They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb prepares deception. |
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