Eliphaz Accuses Job of Folly

15 Then aEliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

2 “Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge,

And fill 1himself with the east wind?

3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk,

Or by speeches with which he can do no good?

4 Yes, you cast off fear,

And restrain 2prayer before God.

5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth,

And you choose the tongue of the crafty.

6 bYour own mouth condemns you, and not I;

Yes, your own lips testify against you.

7 “Are you the first man who was born?

cOr were you made before the hills?

8 dHave you heard the counsel of God?

Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

9 eWhat do you know that we do not know?

What do you understand that is not in us?

10 fBoth the gray-haired and the aged are among us,

Much older than your father.

11 Are the consolations of God too small for you,

And the word spoken 3gently with you?

12 Why does your heart carry you away,

And 4what do your eyes wink at,

13 That you turn your spirit against God,

And let such words go out of your mouth?

14 “What gis man, that he could be pure?

And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?

15 hIf God puts no trust in His saints,

And the heavens are not pure in His sight,

16 iHow much less man, who is abominable and filthy,

jWho drinks iniquity like water!