1. Then Eliphaz from Teman answered Job:
2. “If you were really wise, you would not answer with your worthless personal opinions! A wise man would not be so full of hot air.
3. Do you think a wise man would use empty words and meaningless speeches to win his arguments?
4. If you had your way, no one would respect God and pray to him.
5. What you say clearly shows your sin. Job, you are trying to hide your sin by using clever words.
6. I don’t need to prove to you that you are wrong. The words from your own mouth show that you are wrong. Your own lips speak against you.
7. “Do you think you were the first person ever to be born? Were you born before the hills?
8. Did you listen to God’s secret plans? Do you think you are the only wise person?
9. We know as much as you do! We understand as well as you.
10. The old, gray-haired men agree with us. People older than your father are on our side.
11. God tries to comfort you, but that is not enough for you. We have spoken his message to you in a gentle way.