^1. THEN Eliphaz the Temanite [1] responded,

^2. �Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge And fill [2] himself with the east wind?

^3. �Should he argue with useless talk, Or with words which are not profitable?

^4. �Indeed, you do away with [3] reverence And hinder meditation before God.

^5. �For your guilt teaches your mouth, And you choose the language of the crafty.

^6. �Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; And your own lips testify against you.

^7. �Were you the first man to be born, Or were you brought forth before the hills?

^8. �Do you hear the secret counsel of God, And limit wisdom to yourself?

^9. � What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that [4] we do not?

^10. �Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, Older than your father.

^11. �Are the consolations of God too small for you, Even the word spoken gently with you?

^12. �Why does your heart carry you away? And why do your eyes flash,

^13. That you should turn your spirit against God And allow such words to go out of your mouth?

^14. �What is man, that he should be pure, Or he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

^15. �Behold, He puts no trust in His holy ones, And the heavens are not pure in His sight;

^16. How much less one who is detestable and corrupt, Man, who drinks iniquity like water!

^17. �I will tell you, listen to me; And what I have seen I will also declare;

^18. What wise men have told, And have not concealed from their fathers,

^19. To whom alone the land was given, And no alien passed among them.

^20. �The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, And [5] numbered are the years stored up for the ruthless.

^21. � [6] Sounds of terror are in his ears; While at peace the destroyer comes upon him.

^22. �He does not believe that he will return from darkness, And he is destined for the sword.

^23. �He wanders about for food, saying, "Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is [7] at hand.

^24. �Distress and anguish terrify him, They overpower him like a king ready for the attack,

^25. Because he has stretched out his hand against God And conducts himself arrogantly against [8] the Almighty.

^26. �He rushes [10] headlong at Him With [9] his massive shield.

^27. �For he has covered his face with his fat And made his thighs heavy with flesh.

^28. �He has lived in desolate cities, In houses no one would inhabit, Which are destined to become [11] ruins.

^29. �He will not become rich, nor will his wealth endure; And his grain will not bend down to the ground.

^30. �He will not [12] escape from darkness; The flame will wither his shoots, And by the breath of His mouth he will go away.

^31. �Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself; For emptiness will be his [13] reward.

^32. �It will be accomplished before his time, And his palm branch will not be green.

^33. �He will drop off his unripe grape like the vine, And will cast off his flower like the olive tree.

^34. �For the company of the godless is barren, And fire consumes the tents of [14] the corrupt.

^35. �They conceive [16] mischief and bring forth iniquity, And their [15] mind prepares deception.�