1Eliphaz continued, ‘Call out if you want to, Job. But who will answer you? Which one of the holy angels will you turn to?2Anger kills foolish people. Jealousy destroys those who are childish.3I saw that foolish people were having success. But suddenly harm came to their homes.4Their children aren’t safe at all. They lose their case in court. No one speaks up for them.5Hungry people eat up the crops of the foolish. They even take the food that grows among thorns. Thirsty people long for the wealth of the foolish.6Hard times don’t just grow out of the soil. Trouble doesn’t jump out of the ground.7People are born to have trouble. And that’s just as sure as sparks fly up.8‘If I were you, I’d make my appeal to God. I’d bring my case to be judged by him.9He does wonderful things that can’t be understood. He does miracles that can’t even be counted.10He sends rain on the earth. He sends water on the countryside.11He lifts up people who are lowly in spirit. He lifts up those who are sad. He keeps them safe.12He stops the evil plans of those who are clever. The work of their hands doesn’t succeed.13Some people think they are so wise. But God catches them in their own tricks. He sweeps away the evil plans of sinful people.14Darkness covers them in the daytime. At noon they feel their way around as if it were night.15God saves needy people from the cutting words of their enemies. He saves them from their power.16So poor people have hope. And God shuts the mouths of those who don’t treat others fairly.17‘Blessed is the person God corrects. So don’t hate the Mighty One’s training.18He wounds. But he also bandages up those he wounds. He harms. But his hands also heal those he harms.19From six troubles he will save you. Even if you are in trouble seven times, no harm will come to you.20When there isn’t enough food, God will keep you from dying. When you go into battle, he won’t let a sword strike you down.21He will keep you safe from words that can hurt you. You won’t need to be afraid when everything is being destroyed.22You will laugh when things are being destroyed. You will enjoy life even when there isn’t enough food. You won’t be afraid of wild animals.23You will make a covenant with the stones in the fields. They won’t keep your crops from growing. Even wild animals will be at peace with you.24You will know that the tent you live in is secure. You will check out your property. You will see that nothing is missing.25You can be sure you will have a lot of children. They will be as many as the blades of grass on the earth.26You will go down to the grave while you are still very strong. You will be like a crop that is gathered at the right time.27‘We have carefully studied all these things. And they are true. So pay attention to them. Apply them to yourself.’
Job 5
English Standard Version
1“Call now; is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn? (Job 15:15; Ps 89:5; Ps 89:7; Zec 14:5)2Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.3I have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his dwelling. (Ps 37:35; Ps 73:18; Jer 12:2)4His children are far from safety; they are crushed in the gate, and there is no one to deliver them. (Jos 20:4; Ru 4:1; Job 29:7; Ps 119:155; Ps 127:5; Pr 22:22; Am 5:12)5The hungry eat his harvest, and he takes it even out of thorns,[1] and the thirsty pant[2] after his[3] wealth.6For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground,7but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. (Ge 3:17; Job 14:1; Ec 2:23)8“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,9who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: (Job 9:10; Job 10:16; Job 11:7; Job 34:24; Job 37:5; Ps 40:5; Ps 72:18; Ro 11:33; Re 15:3)10he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; (Ps 65:9; Ps 104:10; Ps 104:13; Ps 147:8; Jer 5:24; Jer 14:22; Mt 5:45; Ac 14:17)11he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. (1Sa 2:7; Ps 113:7)12He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. (Ne 4:15; Ps 33:10; Isa 8:10)13He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end. (Ps 9:15; 1Co 3:19)14They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night. (De 28:29; Job 12:25; Isa 59:10)15But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth and from the hand of the mighty. (Ps 35:10)16So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her mouth. (Ps 63:11; Ps 107:42)17“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. (Ge 17:1; Ps 94:12; Pr 3:11; Heb 12:5; Jas 1:12; Re 3:19)18For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal. (De 32:39; Isa 30:26; Isa 61:1; Ho 6:1)19He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil[4] shall touch you. (Ps 34:19; Ps 91:3; Ps 91:10; 1Co 10:13)20In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. (Ps 33:19; Ps 37:19)21You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. (Ps 31:20)22At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth. (Isa 11:8; Isa 35:9; Isa 65:25; Eze 34:25; Ho 2:18)23For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.24You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. (Job 21:9)25You shall know also that your offspring shall be many, and your descendants as the grass of the earth. (Job 21:8; Ps 72:16; Ps 112:2)26You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season. (Ge 15:15; Ge 25:8; Ge 35:29; Pr 9:11; Pr 10:27)27Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good.”[5] (Ps 111:2)