English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:
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Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
2 “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking?
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"If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended? But who can keep from speaking?
3 Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands.
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See, you have instructed many; you have strengthened the weak hands.
4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees.
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Your words have supported those who were stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees.
5 But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed.
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But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed.
6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?
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Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?
7 “Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?
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"Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?
8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.
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As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.
9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.
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By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.
10 The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions are broken.
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The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11 The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.
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The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.
12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily; my ear received the whisper of it.
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"Now a word came stealing to me, my ear received the whisper of it.
13 Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,
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Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on mortals,
14 dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.
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dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.
15 A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up.
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A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh bristled.
16 It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice:
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It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice:
17 ‘Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?
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"Can mortals be righteous before God? Can human beings be pure before their Maker?
18 Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error;
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Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error;
19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.
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how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like a moth.
20 Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces; they perish forever without anyone regarding it.
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Between morning and evening they are destroyed; they perish forever without any regarding it.
21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them, do they not die, and that without wisdom? ’
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Their tent-cord is plucked up within them, and they die devoid of wisdom.'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.