'Words' in the Bible

“Your words have helped the one who was stumbling to stand,And you have strengthened feeble knees.

“For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea;Therefore my words have been incoherent,

“Then I would still have consolation,And I would jump for joy amid unsparing pain,That I have not denied or hidden the words of the Holy One.

“How painful are words of honesty.But what does your argument prove?

“Do you intend to reprove my words [with a convincing argument],When the words of one in despair belong to the wind [and go ignored]?

“How long will you say these things?And will the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

“Will they (the fathers) not teach you and tell you,And utter words from their hearts [the deepest part of their nature]?

“How can I answer Him [and plead my case],Choosing my words [to reason] with Him?

“Shall a multitude of words not be answered?And should a talkative man [making such a long-winded defense] be acquitted?

“Does the ear not put words to the test,Just as the palate tastes its food [distinguishing between the desirable and the undesirable]?

That you should turn your spirit against GodAnd let such words [as you have spoken] go out of your mouth?

“Is there no end to [your futile] words of wind?Or what plagues you [so much] that you [so boldly] answer [me like this]?

“I also could speak like you,If you were in my place;I could compose and join words together against youAnd shake my head at you.

“[But instead] I could strengthen and encourage you with [the words of] my mouth,And the consolation and solace of my lips would soothe your suffering and lessen your anguish.

“How long will you hunt for words and continue these speeches?Do some clear thinking and show understanding and then we can talk.

“How long will you torment and exasperate meAnd crush me with words?

“I call to my servant, but he does not answer;I have to implore him with words.

“Oh, that the words I now speak were written!Oh, that they were recorded in a scroll!

“How then can you vainly comfort me with empty words,Since your answers remain untrue?”

“Please receive the law and instruction from His mouthAnd establish His words in your heart and keep them.

“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;I have kept the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

“To whom have you uttered [these] words?And whose spirit [inspired what] came forth from you?

Let thorns grow instead of wheat,And stinkweed and cockleburs instead of barley.”So the words of Job [with his friends] are finished.

“You see, I waited for your words,I listened to your [wise] reasons,While you pondered and searched out what to say.

“I even paid close attention to [what] you [said],Indeed, not one of you convinced Job [nor could you refute him],Not one of you supplied [satisfactory] answers to his words.

“Now Job has not directed his words against me [therefore I have no reason to be offended],Nor will I answer him with arguments like yours. [I speak for truth, not for revenge.]

“For I am full of words;The spirit within me constrains me.

“However, Job, please listen to my words,And pay attention to everything I say.

“My words will express the uprightness of my heart,And my lips will speak what they know with utter sincerity.

“Answer me, if you can;Set yourselves before me, take your stand.

“Surely you have spoken in my hearing,And I have heard the sound of your words, saying:

“Hear my words, you wise men,And listen to me, you who have [so much] knowledge.

“For the ear puts words to the testAs the palate tastes food.

“If you now have understanding, hear this;Listen to the sound of my words.

‘Job speaks without knowledge,And his words are without wisdom and insight.

‘For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his [unacknowledged] sin;He claps his hands among us [in open mockery and contempt of God],And he multiplies his words [of accusation] against God.’”

Job uselessly opens his mouthAnd multiplies words without knowledge [drawing the worthless conclusion that the righteous have no more advantage than the wicked].”

“For truly my words are not false;He who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

“Tell us [Job] what words [of man] shall we say to such a Being;We cannot state our case because of darkness [that is, our ignorance in the presence of the unsearchable God].

“Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom]By words without knowledge?

“Will he make many supplications to you [begging to be spared]?Or will he speak soft words to you [to coax you to treat him kindly]?

“[You said to me] ‘Who is this that darkens and obscures counsel [by words] without knowledge?’Therefore [I now see] I have [rashly] uttered that which I did not understand,Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

“Therefore I retract [my words and hate myself]And I repent in dust and ashes.”

It came about that after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.