113 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
113 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
Eliphaz Speaks
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# Chapter 15
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1. Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
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2. Does a wise man answer with empty counsel
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or fill himself with the hot east wind?
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3. Should he argue with useless talk
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or with words that serve no good purpose?
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4. But you even undermine the fear of God
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and hinder meditation before him.
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5. Your iniquity teaches you what to say,
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and you choose the language of the crafty.
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6. Your own mouth condemns you, not I;
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your own lips testify against you.
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7. Were you the first human ever born,
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or were you brought forth before the hills?
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8. Do you listen in on the council of God,
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or have a monopoly on wisdom?
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9. What do you know that we don't?
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What do you understand that is not clear to us?
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10. Both the gray-haired and the elderly are with us--
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older than your father.
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11. Are God's consolations not enough for you,
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even the words that deal gently with you?
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12. Why has your heart misled you,
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and why do your eyes flash
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13. as you turn your anger against God
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and allow such words to leave your mouth?
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14. What is a mere human, that he should be pure,
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or one born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
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15. If God puts no trust in his holy ones
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and the heavens are not pure in his sight,
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16. how much less one who is revolting and corrupt,
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who drinks injustice like water?
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17. Listen to me and I will inform you.
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I will describe what I have seen,
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18. what the wise have declared and not concealed,
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that came from their ancestors,
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19. to whom alone the land was given
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when no foreigner passed among them.
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20. A wicked person writhes in pain all his days,
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throughout the number of years reserved for the ruthless.
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21. Dreadful sounds fill his ears;
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when he is at peace, a robber attacks him.
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22. He doesn't believe he will return from darkness;
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he is destined for the sword.
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23. He wanders about for food, asking, "Where is it?"
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He knows the day of darkness is at hand.
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24. Trouble and distress terrify him,
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overwhelming him like a king prepared for battle.
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25. For he has stretched out his hand against God
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and has arrogantly opposed the Almighty.
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26. He rushes headlong at him
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with his thick, studded shields.
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27. Though his face is covered with fat
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and his waistline bulges with it,
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28. he will dwell in ruined cities,
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in abandoned houses destined to become piles of rubble.
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29. He will no longer be rich; his wealth will not endure.
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His possessions will not increase in the land.
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30. He will not escape from the darkness;
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flames will wither his shoots,
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and by the breath of God's mouth, he will depart.
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31. Let him not put trust in worthless things, being led astray,
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for what he gets in exchange will prove worthless.
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32. It will be accomplished before his time,
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and his branch will not flourish.
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33. He will be like a vine that drops its unripe grapes
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and like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.
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34. For the company of the godless will have no children,
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and fire will consume the tents of those who offer bribes.
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35. They conceive trouble and give birth to evil;
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their womb prepares deception.
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