1 Eliphaz from Teman* said:

* 2 Job, if you had any sense,

3 you would stop spreading

all of this hot air.

4 Your words are enough

to make others turn from God

and lead them to doubt.

5 And your sinful, scheming mind

is the source of all you say.

6 I am not here as your judge;

your own words are witnesses

against you.

7 Were you the first human?

Are you older than the hills?

8 Have you ever been present

when God's council* meets?

Do you alone have wisdom?

9 Do you know and understand

something we don't?

10 We have the benefit of wisdom

older than your father.

11 And you have been offered

comforting words from God.

Isn't this enough?

12 Your emotions are out of control,

making you look fierce;

13 that's why you attack God

with everything you say.

14 * No human is pure and innocent,

15 and neither are angels—

not in the sight of God.

If God doesn't trust his angels,

16 what chance do humans have?

We are so terribly evil

that we thirst for sin.

17 Just listen to what I know,

and you will learn

18 wisdom known by others

since ancient times.

19 Those who gained such insights

also gained the land,

and they were not influenced

by foreign teachings.

20 But suffering is in store

each day for those who sin.

21 Even in times of success,

they constantly hear

the threat of doom.

22 Darkness, despair, and death

are their destiny.

23 They scrounge around for food,

all the while dreading

the approaching darkness.

24 They are overcome with despair,

like frightened soldiers facing

a fearsome king in battle.

25 This is because they rebelled

against God All-Powerful

26 and have attacked him

with their weapons.

27 They may be rich and fat,

28 but they will live in the ruins

of deserted towns.

29 Their property and wealth

will shrink and disappear.

30 They won't escape the darkness,

and the blazing breath of God

will set their future aflame.

* 31 They have put their trust

in something worthless;

now they will become worthless

32 like a date palm tree

without a leaf.*

33 Or like vineyards or orchards

whose blossoms and unripe fruit

drop to the ground.

34 Yes, the godless and the greedy

will have nothing but flames

feasting on their homes,

35 because they are the parents

of trouble and vicious lies.