Eliphaz accuses Job of folly
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But Eliphaz the Themanite, answering, said:
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Will a wise man answer as if he were speaking wind, and will he fill his stomach with fire?
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You rebuke with words he who is not equal to you, and you speak what is not expedient for you,
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to such an extent that, within yourself, you have expelled reverence and have taken away prayers from the presence of God.(a) (b)
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For your iniquity has mislead your mouth, and you imitate the tongue of blasphemers.
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Your own mouth will condemn you, not I; and your own lips will answer you.
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Are you the first man who was born, or were you formed before the hills?
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Have you heard the intentions of God, and will his wisdom be inferior to you?
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What do you know, about which we are ignorant? What do you understand that we do not know?
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There are with us both aged and ancient men, even more senior than your fathers.
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Is it so important that God should console you? But your own depraved words prevent this.
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Why does your heart exalt you, and why do you gaze with your eyes, as if thinking great things?
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Why does your spirit stir against God, so as to utter such speeches from your mouth?
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What is man that he should be immaculate, and that he should appear just, having been born of woman?
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Behold, among his holy ones not one is immutable, and even the heavens are not pure in his sight.
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How much more abominable and useless is the man who drinks as if from the water of iniquity?
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I will reveal to you, so listen to me; and I will explain to you what I have seen.
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The wise acknowledge, and they do not leave behind, their fathers,(c)
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to whom alone the earth has been given, and no stranger passed among them.
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The impious is arrogant for all his days, and the number of the years of his tyranny is uncertain.
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The sound of terror is always in his ears; and when there is peace, he always suspects treason.
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He does not believe that it is possible for him to be turned from darkness into the light, for he sees around him the sword on every side.
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When he moves himself to seek bread, he knows that the day of darkness has been prepared for his hand.
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Tribulation will terrify him, and anguish will prevail over him, like a king who is being prepared to go to battle.
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For he has extended his hand against God, and he has strengthened himself against the Almighty.
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He has rushed against him with his throat exposed, and he has been armed with a fat neck.
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Thickness has covered his face, and lard hangs down from his sides.
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He has lived in desolate cities and deserted houses, which have been turned into tombs.
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He will not be enriched, nor will his basic necessities endure, nor will he establish his root in the earth.
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He will not withdraw from the darkness; the flame will burn up his branches, and he will be defeated by the breath of his own mouth.
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He will not believe, being vainly deceived by error, that he could be redeemed at any price.
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Before his time is completed, he will pass into ruin and his hands will wither away.
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He will be wounded like a grapevine, when its cluster is in first flower, and like an olive tree that casts off its flower.
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For the congregation of the hypocrites is fruitless, and fire will devour the tabernacles of those who love to accept money.
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He has conceived sorrow, and he has brought forth iniquity, and his womb prepares deceit.
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