1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

2“Would a wise man answer with such empty ‘knowledge’ that is just a lot of hot air? ⁷⁷

3He wouldn't argue with unprofitable speeches using words that do no good.

4But you are doing away with the fear of God, and destroying communion with him.

5It's your sins that are doing the talking, and you are choosing deceptive words.

6Your own mouth is condemning you, not me; your own lips are testifying against you.

7Were you the very first person to be born? Were you born before the hills were created? ⁷⁸

8Were you there listening in God's council? ⁷⁹Does wisdom only belong to you?

9What do you know that we don't? What do you understand that we don't?

10We have among us old, gray-haired people much older than your father!

11Are the comforts God provides too little for you? Are God's gentle words not enough for you?

12Why do you let yourself be carried away by your emotions? ⁸⁰

13Why do your eyes flash in anger that you turn against God and let yourself speak this way?

14Who can say they are clean? Which human being can say that they do what is right?

15Look, God doesn't even trust his angels—even the heavenly beings are not pure in his sight!

16How much less pure are those who are unclean and corrupt, drinking in sin like water!

17If you are ready to listen to me, I will show you. I will explain my insights.

18This is what wise men have said, confirmed by their ancestors,

19those to whom alone the land was given before foreigners ever were there. ⁸¹

20The wicked writhe in pain all their lives, through all the years these oppressors survive.

21Terrifying sounds fill their ears; even when they think they're safe, the destroyer will attack them.

22They don't believe they will escape the darkness—they know a sword is waiting for them. ⁸²

23They wander around looking for food, asking ‘Where is it?’ They know that their day of darkness is close at hand.

24Misery and torment overwhelm them like a king preparing for battle.

25They shake their fists in God's face, defiantly challenging the Almighty,

26insolently attacking him with their shields.

27They have become fat in their rebellion, their bellies bloated with fat.

28But their cities will become desolate; they will live in abandoned houses that are crumbling into ruins.

29They will lose their riches, their wealth will not endure, their possessions will not spread over the earth.

30They will not escape from the darkness. Like a tree whose shoots are burned up in a forest fire, the breath of God will blow him away.

31They should not trust in things that are worthless, for their reward will be worthless. ⁸³

32This will be paid in full before their time has come. They are like tree branches that wither,

33like vines that lose their unripe grapes, or olive trees that lose their flowers. ⁸⁴

34For those who reject God are barren, ⁸⁵and fire will burn up the homes of those who love bribes.

35They plan trouble and produce evil, giving birth to deception.”