Job 4
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered Job.
2 If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?
“Could I say a word? I don't want to upset you but who could keep quiet and not respond?
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
You've certainly encouraged many people and supported those who are weak.
4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
Your advice has helped those who are stumbling not to fall, and you have strengthened those whose knees are weak.
5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou art weary; it toucheth thee, and thou art affrighted.
But now you're the one suffering and you're upset.
6 Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
Wasn't it your reverence for God that gave you confidence and your integrity that gave you hope?
7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?
Think about it: since when did the innocent die? Since when were good people destroyed?
8 According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow mischief, reap the same.
From what I've seen it's those who plant evil and sow trouble who reap the same!
9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed.
A breath from God destroys them; a blast of his anger wipes them out.
10 The lion roareth, and the fierce lion howleth — yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.
Lions may roar and growl, but their teeth still break.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
Even a lion dies from lack of food, and the lioness' cubs are scattered.
12 Now a word was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.
A word quietly crept up on me; a whisper reached my ear.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
Troubling thoughts came to me in nightmares when you fall into a deep sleep.
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were made to shake.
I became terrified and trembled; all my bones were shaking.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face, that made the hair of my flesh to stand up.
Then a breath brushed my face and gave me goose-pimples.
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; a form was before mine eyes; I heard a still voice:
Something stopped, but I couldn't see its face. My eyes could only make out a shape. It was totally quiet, and then I heard a voice:
17 'Shall mortal man be just before God? Shall a man be pure before his Maker?
‘Can anyone be right before God? Can anyone be pure before their Maker?
18 Behold, He putteth no trust in His servants, and His angels He chargeth with folly;
If he doesn't even trust his servants, and he says his angels make mistakes,
19 How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
how much more does this apply to those who live in these houses made of clay, whose foundations are based on dust, who fall apart like clothing to a moth?
20 Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered; they perish for ever without any regarding it.
Alive in the morning, they are dead by evening. They die, unnoticed.
21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.'
They are like tent ropes that are pulled up, and they collapse in death. They die without wisdom.’
