Eliphaz – Book of Job, chapter 15, The Bible

Eliphaz returns to the charge against Job, and describes the wretched state of the wicked.

[1] And Eliphaz the Themanite, answered, and said: [2] Will a wise man answer as if he were speaking in the wind, and fill his stomach with burning heat? [3] Thou reprovest him by words, who is not equal to thee, and thou speakest that which is not good for thee. [4] As much as is in thee, thou hast made void fear, and hast taken away prayers from before God. [5] For thy iniquity hath taught thy mouth, and thou imitatest the tongue of blasphemers.

[6] Thy own mouth shall condemn thee, and not I: and thy own lips shall answer thee. [7] Art thou the first man that was born, or wast thou made before the hills? [8] Hast thou heard God’s counsel, and shall his wisdom be inferior to thee? [9] What knowest thou that we are ignorant of? what dost thou understand that we know not? [10] There are with us also aged and ancient men, much elder than thy fathers.

[11] Is it a great matter that God should comfort thee? but thy wicked words hinder this. [12] Why doth thy heart elevate thee, and why dost thou stare with thy eyes, as if they were thinking great things? [13] Why doth thy spirit swell against God, to utter such words out of thy mouth? [14] What is man that he should be without spot, and he that is born of a woman that he should appear just? [15] Behold among his saints none is unchangeable, and the heavens are not pure in his sight.

[16] How much more is man abominable, and unprofitable, who drinketh iniquity like water? [17] I will shew thee, hear me: and I will tell thee what I have seen. [18] Wise men confess and hide not their fathers. [19] To whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger hath passed among them. [20] The wicked man is proud all his days, and the number of the years of his tyranny is uncertain.

[21] The sound of dread is always in his ears: and when there is peace, he always suspecteth treason. [22] He believeth not that he may return from darkness to light, looking round about for the sword on every side. [23] When he moveth himself to seek bread, he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. [24] Tribulation shall terrify him, and distress shall surround him, as a king that is prepared for the battle. [25] For he hath stretched out his hand against God, and hath strengthened himself against the Almighty.

[26] He hath run against him with his neck raised up, and is armed with a fat neck. [27] Fatness hath covered his face, and the fat hangeth down on his sides. [28] He hath dwelt in desolate cities, and in desert houses that are reduced into heaps. [29] He shall not be enriched, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he push his root in the earth. [30] He shall not depart out of darkness: the flame shall dry up his branches, and he shall be taken away by the breath of his own mouth.

[31] He shall not believe, being vainly deceived by error, that he may be redeemed with any price. [32] Before his days be full he shall perish: and his hands shall wither away. [33] He shall be blasted as a vine when its grapes are in the first flower, and as an olive tree that casteth its flower. [34] For the congregation of the hypocrite is barren, and fire shall devour their tabernacles, who love to take bribes. [35] He hath conceived sorrow, and hath brought forth iniquity, and his womb prepareth deceits.

Commentary

[4] “Thou hast made void fear”: That is, cast off the fear of offending God.

[18] “Wise men confess and hide not their fathers”: That is, the knowledge and documents they have received from their fathers they are not ashamed to own.