1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,2If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.5But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.6Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?7Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?8Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.9By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.10The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.11The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion' whelps are scattered abroad.12Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.13In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,14Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.15Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:16It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying ,17Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?18Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:19How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?20They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it .21Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
Job 4
English Standard Version
Eliphaz Speaks: The Innocent Prosper
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:2“If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking?3Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. (Isa 35:3; Heb 12:12)4Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees. (Job 4:3)5But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed.6Is not your fear of God[1] your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? (Job 1:1; Job 31:24; Pr 3:26)7“Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off? (Ps 37:25)8As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. (Ps 7:14; Pr 22:8; Ho 10:13; Ga 6:7)9By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed. (Ex 15:8; Job 15:30; Ps 18:15; Isa 11:4; Isa 30:33; 2Th 2:8)10The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions are broken. (Job 29:17; Ps 3:7; Ps 58:6)11The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.12“Now a word was brought to me stealthily; my ear received the whisper of it. (Job 26:14)13Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, (Ge 2:21; Ge 15:12; 1Sa 26:12; Job 20:2; Job 33:15; Isa 29:10)14dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.15A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up.16It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice: (Nu 12:8; 1Ki 19:12)17‘Can mortal man be in the right before[2] God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? (Job 9:2; Job 10:4; Job 25:4; Job 32:2)18Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error; (Job 15:15)19how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like[3] the moth. (Ge 2:7; Ge 3:19; Ge 18:27; Job 10:9; Job 13:12; Job 13:28; Job 33:6; Isa 64:8; 2Co 4:7; 2Co 5:1)20Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces; they perish forever without anyone regarding it. (Ps 90:5; Isa 38:12; Isa 42:25; Isa 57:1)21Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them, do they not die, and that without wisdom?’ (Job 36:12; Pr 5:23; Pr 10:21; Ho 4:6)