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15:1  Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied,
15:2  “Job, would a wise person answer with a lot of meaningless talk? Would they fill their stomach with the hot east wind?
15:3  Would they argue with useless words? Would they give worthless speeches?
15:4  But you even cause others to lose their respect for God. You make it hard for them to be faithful to him.
15:5  Your sin makes you say evil things. You talk like people who twist the truth.
15:6  Your own mouth judges you, not mine. Your own lips witness against you.
15:7  “Are you the first man who was ever born? Were you created before the hills?
15:8  Do you listen in when God speaks with his angels? Do you think you are the only wise person?
15:9  What do you know that we don’t know? What understanding do you have that we don’t have?
15:10  People who are old and gray are on our side. And they are even older than your parents!
15:11  Aren’t God’s words of comfort enough for you? He speaks them to you gently.
15:12  Why have you let your wild ideas carry you away? Why do your eyes flash with anger?
15:13  Why do you get so angry with God? Why do words like those pour out of your mouth?
15:14  “Can human beings really be pure? Can those who are born really be right with God?
15:15  God doesn’t trust his holy angels. Even the heavens aren’t pure in his sight.
15:16  So he’ll certainly find fault with human beings. After all, they are evil and sinful. They drink up evil as if it were water.
15:17  “Listen to me. I’ll explain things to you. Let me tell you what I’ve seen.
15:18  I’ll tell you what those who are wise have said. They don’t hide anything they’ve received from their people of long ago.
15:19  The land was given only to those people. Their wisdom didn’t come from outsiders. And here’s what those who are wise have said.
15:20  Sinful people always suffer pain. Mean people suffer all their lives.
15:21  Terrifying sounds fill their ears. When everything seems to be going well, robbers attack them.
15:22  They lose all hope of escaping the darkness of death. They will certainly be killed by swords.
15:23  Like vultures, they look around for food. They know that the day they will die is near.
15:24  Suffering and pain terrify them. Their troubles overpower them, like a king ready to attack his enemies.
15:25  They shake their fists at God. They brag about themselves and oppose the Mighty One.
15:26  They boldly charge against him with their thick, strong shields.
15:27  “Their faces are very fat. Their stomachs hang out.
15:28  They’ll live in towns that have been destroyed. They’ll live in houses where no one else lives. The houses will crumble to pieces.
15:29  They won’t be rich anymore. Their wealth won’t last. Their property will no longer spread out over the land.
15:30  They won’t escape the darkness of death. A flame will dry up everything they have. The breath of God will blow them away.
15:31  Don’t let them fool themselves by trusting in what is worthless. They won’t get anything out of it.
15:32  Even before they die, they will dry up. No matter what they do, it won’t succeed.
15:33  They’ll be like vines that are stripped of their unripe grapes. They’ll be like olive trees that drop their flowers.
15:34  People who are ungodly won’t have any children. Fire will burn up the tents of people who accept money from those who want special favors.
15:35  Instead of having children, ungodly people create suffering. All they produce is evil. They are full of lies.”