The second round of the debate

Eliphaz's second speech

If you had any sense

1Eliphaz from Teman15.1 Teman: See the note at 2.11. said:

2-3Job, if you had any sense,

you would stop spreading

all this hot air.

4Your words are enough

to make others turn from God

and lead them to doubt.

5And your sinful, scheming mind

is the source of all you say.

6I am not here as your judge;

your own words are witnesses

against you.

7Were you the first human?

Are you older than the hills?

8Have you ever been present

when God's council15.8 God's council: The angels and others who gather to discuss matters with God (see 1.6; 2.1). meets?

Do you alone have wisdom?

9Do you know and understand

something we don't?

10We have the benefit of wisdom

older than your father.

11And you have been offered

comforting words from God.

Isn't this enough?

12Your emotions are out of control,

making you look fierce;

13that's why you attack God

with everything you say.

14No human is pure and innocent,15.14-16: Job 25.4-6.

15and neither are angels—

not in the sight of God.

If God doesn't trust his angels,

16what chance do humans have?

We are so terribly evil

that we thirst for sin.

Just listen to what I know

17Just listen to what I know,

and you will learn

18wisdom known by others

since ancient times.

19Those who gained such insights

also gained the land,

and they were not influenced

by foreign teachings.

20But suffering is in store

each day for those who sin.

21Even in times of success,

they constantly hear

the threat of doom.

22Darkness, despair, and death

are their destiny.

23They scrounge around for food,

all the while dreading

the approaching darkness.

24They are overcome with despair,

like a terrified king

about to go into battle.

25This is because they rebelled

against God All-Powerful

26and have attacked him

with their weapons.

27They may be rich and fat,

28but they will live in the ruins

of deserted towns.

29Their property and wealth

will shrink and disappear.

30They won't escape the darkness,

and the blazing breath of God

will set their future aflame.

31-32They have put their trust

in something worthless;

now they will become worthless

like a date palm tree

without a leaf.15.31,32 leaf: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 31,32.

33Or like vineyards or orchards

whose blossoms and unripe fruit

drop to the ground.

34Yes, the godless and the greedy

will have nothing but flames

feasting on their homes,

35because they are the parents

of trouble and vicious lies.