6
The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
7
Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.
8
The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.
9
With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.
10
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
11
Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
12
Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
13
A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
14
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.
15
Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
16
A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17
Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
18
A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
19
Truly the righteous attain life, but whoever pursues evil finds death.
20
The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
21
Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.
22
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23
The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
26
People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27
Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.
1
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
2
“Would a wise person answer with empty notions or fill their belly with the hot east wind?
3
Would they argue with useless words, with speeches that have no value?
4
But you even undermine piety and hinder devotion to God.
5
Your sin prompts your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty.
6
Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; your own lips testify against you.
7
“Are you the first man ever born? Were you brought forth before the hills?
8
Do you listen in on God’s council? Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?
9
What do you know that we do not know? What insights do you have that we do not have?
10
The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, men even older than your father.
11
Are God’s consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you?
12
Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash,
13
so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from your mouth?
14
“What are mortals, that they could be pure, or those born of woman, that they could be righteous?
15
If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes,
16
how much less mortals, who are vile and corrupt, who drink up evil like water!
17
“Listen to me and I will explain to you; let me tell you what I have seen,
18
what the wise have declared, hiding nothing received from their ancestors
19
(to whom alone the land was given when no foreigners moved among them):
20
All his days the wicked man suffers torment, the ruthless man through all the years stored up for him.
21
Terrifying sounds fill his ears; when all seems well, marauders attack him.
22
He despairs of escaping the realm of darkness; he is marked for the sword.
23
He wanders about for food like a vulture; he knows the day of darkness is at hand.
24
Distress and anguish fill him with terror; troubles overwhelm him, like a king poised to attack,
25
because he shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty,
26
defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield.
27
“Though his face is covered with fat and his waist bulges with flesh,
28
he will inhabit ruined towns and houses where no one lives, houses crumbling to rubble.
29
He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure, nor will his possessions spread over the land.
30
He will not escape the darkness; a flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away.
31
Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless, for he will get nothing in return.
32
Before his time he will wither, and his branches will not flourish.
33
He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree shedding its blossoms.
34
For the company of the godless will be barren, and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes.
35
They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb fashions deceit.”
Healing Bible Verses
Worry and Anxiety Bible Verses
Bible Verses About Grief
Comforting Bible Verses
God's Promises in the Bible
Bible Verses For Faith in Hard Times
Encouraging Bible Verses
Friendship Bible Verses
Forgiveness Bible Verses
Strength Bible Verses
Love Bible Verses
Inspirational Bible Verses