> [[job-14|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-16|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 15 ## Chapter 15 **Second Speech of Eliphaz.** 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: ^job-15-1 2 Does a wise man answer with windy opinions, ^job-15-2 or puff himself up with the east wind? 3 Does he argue in speech that does not avail, ^job-15-3 and in words that are to no profit? 4 You in fact do away with piety, ^job-15-4 you lessen devotion toward God, 5 Because your wickedness instructs your mouth, ^job-15-5 and you choose to speak like the crafty. 6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I; ^job-15-6 your own lips refute you. 7 Were you the first to be born? ^job-15-7 Were you brought forth before the hills? 8 Do you listen in on God’s council ^job-15-8 and restrict wisdom to yourself? 9 What do you know that we do not know, ^job-15-9 or understand that we do not? 10 There are gray-haired old men among us, ^job-15-10 more advanced in years than your father. 11 Are the consolations of God not enough for you, ^job-15-11 and speech that deals gently with you? 12 Why does your heart carry you away, ^job-15-12 and why do your eyes flash, 13 So that you turn your anger against God ^job-15-13 and let such words escape your mouth! 14 How can any mortal be blameless, ^job-15-14 anyone born of woman be righteous? 15 If in his holy ones God places no confidence, ^job-15-15 and if the heavens are not without blame in his sight, 16 How much less so is the abominable and corrupt: ^job-15-16 people who drink in iniquity like water! 17 I will show you, if you listen to me; ^job-15-17 what I have seen I will tell— 18 What the wise relate ^job-15-18 and have not contradicted since the days of their ancestors, 19 To whom alone the land was given, ^job-15-19 when no foreigner moved among them: 20 The wicked is in torment all his days, ^job-15-20 and limited years are in store for the ruthless; 21 The sound of terrors is in his ears; ^job-15-21 when all is prosperous, a spoiler comes upon him. 22 He despairs of escaping the darkness, ^job-15-22 and looks ever for the sword; 23 A wanderer, food for vultures, ^job-15-23 he knows destruction is imminent. 24 A day of darkness fills him with dread; ^job-15-24 distress and anguish overpower him, like a king expecting an attack. 25 Because he has stretched out his hand against God ^job-15-25 and arrogantly challenged the Almighty, 26 Rushing defiantly against him, ^job-15-26 with the stout bosses of his shields. 27 Although he has covered his face with his crassness, ^job-15-27 padded his loins with blubber, 28 He shall dwell in ruined cities, ^job-15-28 in houses that are deserted, crumbling into rubble. 29 He shall not be rich, his possessions shall not endure; ^job-15-29 his property shall not spread over the land. 30 A flame shall sear his early growth, ^job-15-30 and with the wind his blossoms shall disappear. 31 Let him not trust in his height, misled, ^job-15-31 even though his height be like the palm tree. 32 He shall wither before his time, ^job-15-32 his branches no longer green. 33 He shall be like a vine that sheds its grapes unripened, ^job-15-33 like an olive tree casting off its blossom. 34 For the breed of the impious shall be sterile, ^job-15-34 and fire shall consume the tents of extortioners. 35 They conceive malice, bring forth deceit, ^job-15-35 give birth to fraud. --- \* (15:1) The tone of Eliphaz’s speech is now much rougher. In vv. [7] – [9] he ridicules Job’s knowledge with a sarcastic question about whether he was a member of the divine council before creation and thus had unique wisdom (according to [Prv 8:22] – [31], only Woman Wisdom existed before creation). Verses [20] – [35] are a typical description of the fate of the wicked. \* (15:31) The translation is uncertain. \* (15:35) The plans of the wicked yield nothing but futile results. Cf. ([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:15]; [Is 59:4]. --- a. (15:6) [Jb 9:20]. b. (15:8) [Jb 11:7]; ([[wisdom-09|Wis 9]]:13]; [Jer 23:18]; [Rom 11:34]; ([[1-corinthians-02|1 Cor 2]]:11], [16]. c. (15:9) [Jb 12:3]; [13:2]. d. (15:14] – [16) [Jb 25:4] – [6]. e. (15:14) [Jb 14:4]. f. (15:15) [Jb 4:18] – [19]. g. (15:34) ([[wisdom-03|Wis 3]]:11], [18]. h. (15:35) ([[psalm-07|Ps 7]]:15]; [Is 59:4]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-14|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-16|Next →]]