(15:1–21:34)

15 Then Elifaz (from Teman) replied:

2 Do wise people just answer with knowledge full of wind?

≈Do they just fill themselves with the east wind?

3 Should a person argue against useless talk,

≈or against words that have no value?

4 You turn people from the fear of God,

≈and discourage them from godly meditation.

5 Thus your wickedness drives your words,

≈and you choose the language of crafty people.

6 It’s not me who condemns you, but it’s your own mouth.

≈Your own lips testify against you.

7 Were you the first person ever born?

≈Were you created before the hills were made?

8 Do you listen to God’s advice,

or limit wisdom to your own experience?

9 What do you know that we don’t?

≈What do you understand that’s not clear to us?

10 Both the gray-haired and the elderly are on our side,

≈People who’ve lived longer than your father.

11 Isn’t it enough when God comforts you?

≈Aren’t his gentle words enough for you?

12 Why do your emotions get carried away?

≈Why do your eyes flash with anger?

13 Are you turning your spirit against God

as your words pour out of your mouth?

14 What person could ever be pure,[ref]

≈and how could someone born from a woman be righteous?

15 He doesn’t even trust his holy ones,

and the heavens aren’t pure from his viewpoint.

16 Certainly not someone who’s corrupt and abhorrent,

≈or a person who drinks wickedness like water.

17 I’ll show you—listen to me—

what I’ve seen and will tell everyone.

18 What’s been told by wise people—

≈that hasn’t been hidden from their ancestors.

19 The land was given to them alone,

≈and no stranger had come in among them.

20 Wicked people squirm in pain for their entire lifetime.

≈Those who oppress others have a number of years of pain stored up for them.

21 Sounds of terrors are in their ears.

The destroyer comes while they’re enjoying prosperity.

22 They don’t believe that the darkness will ever end.

They’re destined for the sword.

23 They wander around searching for food that must be there.

They know that dark days are ahead—already prepared.

24 They’re terrified by distress and anguish.

≈That dread overwhelms them like a king who’s ready for a battle.

25 These things happen to wicked people because they oppose God.

≈They’ve behaved arrogantly to the provider.

26 They rush against him in defiance,

trusting the thick reinforcing of their shields.

27 Though their faces are round and fat,

and their bodies have rolls on their hips,

28 they’ll live in broken-down houses

which people normally wouldn’t live in because they’re marked for demolition.

29 They won’t be rich and their wealth won’t endure,

≈and their herds and flocks won’t spread across the land.

30 Wicked people will never escape the darkness.

A flame will wither their branches,

and with one breath of their mouths, they’ll be gone.

31 Don’t let them trust in emptiness or they’ll be led astray,

and worthlessness will be their only reward.

32 They’ll be finished before their time,

and their branches won’t flourish and produce leaves.

33 They’ll be like grapevines that drop their grapes when they’re still unripe,

and like olive trees that shed their blossoms.

34 Yes, the company of godless people is worthless,

and anything gained from bribery will be burnt up in the fire.

35 They dream about trouble and encourage wickedness,

and they give birth to deceitful plots.