Job 4

1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

2 If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

“If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

Behold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands.

4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

Your words have supported him who was falling, you have made the feeble knees firm.

5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou art weary; it toucheth thee, and thou art affrighted.

But now it has come to you, and you faint. It touches you, and you are troubled.

6 Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?

Isn’t your piety your confidence? Isn’t the integrity of your ways your hope?

7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?

“Remember, now, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?

8 According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow mischief, reap the same.

According to what I have seen, those who plough iniquity and sow trouble, reap the same.

9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed.

By the breath of God they perish. By the blast of his anger are they consumed.

10 The lion roareth, and the fierce lion howleth — yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.

The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.

The old lion perishes for lack of prey. The cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.

12 Now a word was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.

“Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it.

13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,

14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were made to shake.

fear came on me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.

15 Then a spirit passed before my face, that made the hair of my flesh to stand up.

Then a spirit passed before my face. The hair of my flesh stood up.

16 It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof; a form was before mine eyes; I heard a still voice:

It stood still, but I couldn’t discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes. Silence, then I heard a voice, saying,

17 'Shall mortal man be just before God? Shall a man be pure before his Maker?

‘Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?

18 Behold, He putteth no trust in His servants, and His angels He chargeth with folly;

Behold, he puts no trust in his servants. He charges his angels with error.

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 those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!

20 Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered; they perish for ever without any regarding it.

Between morning and evening they are destroyed. They perish forever without any regarding it.

21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.'

Isn’t their tent cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without wisdom.’