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1. Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,
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1.
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2. "Should a wise man answer with learning that is of no worth, and fill himself with the east wind?
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2.
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3. Should he argue with talk that will not help, or with words that do no good?
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3.
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4. For sure you are doing away with the fear of the Lord. You are stopping the quiet worship of God.
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4.
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5. You show your sin by what you say. You are trying to hide behind your words.
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5.
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6. Your own mouth says you are guilty, and not I. Your own lips speak against you.
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6.
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7. "Were you the first man to be born? Or were you made before the hills?
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7.
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8. Were you there to hear the secret plans of God? Are you the only one who has wisdom?
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8.
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9. What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not clear to us?
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9.
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10. Men whose hair has grown white and those who have lived many years are among us. They are older than your father.
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10.
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11. Are the gentle words spoken to you, which give comfort from God, too little for you?
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11.
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12. Why does your heart carry you away? And why do your eyes shine,
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12.
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13. that you turn your spirit against God and let such words go out of your mouth?
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13.
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14. What is man, that he can be pure, or he who is born of a woman, that he can be right and good?
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14.
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15. See, God puts no trust in His holy ones. The heavens are not pure in His eyes.
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15.
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16. How much less one who is hated and sinful, a man who drinks sin like water!
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16.
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17. "I will tell you, listen to me. I will make known what I have seen,
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17.
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18. what wise men have told that they learned from their fathers. They have not hidden anything.
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18.
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19. These were the ones to whom the land was given, and no stranger passed among them.
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19.
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20. The sinful man suffers in pain all his days. His years are numbered because of all his sin.
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20.
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21. Sounds of fear are in his ears. When all seems to be going well, the one who destroys will come upon him.
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21.
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22. He does not believe that he will be taken away from darkness, and the sword is meant for him.
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22.
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23. He goes to look for food, saying, 'Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is near.
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23.
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24. Trouble and pain fill him with fear. They have power over him like a king ready for battle.
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24.
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25. He has put out his hand against God, and is full of pride against the All-powerful.
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25.
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26. He rushes in pride against Him with his big battle-covering.
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26.
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27. His face is fat, and his thighs are heavy with fat.
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27.
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28. He has lived in cities that have been laid waste, in houses where no one lives which will be destroyed.
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28.
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29. He will no longer be rich, and what he has will not last. His grain will come to nothing.
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29.
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30. He will not get away from darkness. The fire will dry up his branches, and the breath of God's mouth will drive him away.
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30.
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31. Let him not lie to himself and trust in what is empty. For what is empty will be his pay.
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31.
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32. It will be paid in full while he still lives, and his branch will not be green.
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32.
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33. He will be like the vine that drops off its grapes before they are ready. And he will throw off his flower like the olive tree.
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33.
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34. Those who visit the sinful bring no fruit. And fire destroys the tents of those who do wrong.
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34.
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35. They give birth to trouble and bring sin. Their minds plan lies."
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35.
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