4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
4:2 “If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can keep from speaking?
4:3 Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.
4:4 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.
4:5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.
4:6 Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?
4:7 “Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?
4:8 As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.
4:9 At the breath of God they are destroyed; at the blast of his anger they perish.
4:10 The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken.
4:11 The lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.
4:12 “A word was secretly brought to me, my ears caught a whisper of it.
4:13 Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on men,
4:14 fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake.
4:15 A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end.
4:16 It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice:
4:17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?
4:18 If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error,
4:19 how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth!
4:20 Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces; unnoticed, they perish forever.
4:21 Are not the cords of their tent pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?’
4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
4:2 If one attempts a word with you, will you be wearied by it? / But who can refrain from speaking?
4:3 Indeed, you have instructed many, / And you have strengthened the weak hands.
4:4 Your words have raised up him who was stumbling, / And you have made the bowing knees firm.
4:5 But now it comes to you, and you are wearied by it; / It touches you, and you are disturbed.
4:6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, / And the integrity of your ways your hope?
4:7 Remember now, who, being innocent, has ever perished? / And where have the upright ever been cut off?
4:8 According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity / And those who sow trouble reap the same.
4:9 By the breath of God they perish, / And by the blast of His anger they are consumed.
4:10 The roaring of the lion and the sound of the fierce lion / And the teeth of the young lions are broken;
4:11 The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, / And the whelps of the lioness are scattered.
4:12 But a matter has stolen in unto me, / And my ear has received a whisper of it.
4:13 In perplexing thoughts of the night visions, / When deep sleep falls upon men,
4:14 Dread came upon me, and trembling, / And caused all my bones to dread.
4:15 And a spirit passed before my face; / The hair of my flesh bristled.
4:16 It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; / A form stood before my eyes; / I heard a murmur of a voice:
4:17 Can a mortal man be more righteous than God? / Can a man be purer than his Maker?
4:18 If He puts no trust in His servants, / And He charges His angels with error,
4:19 How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, / Whose foundation is in dust, / Who are crushed like a moth!
4:20 From morning to evening they are smashed to pieces; / Without any considering it, they continually perish.
4:21 Should their tent cord be plucked up within them, / They die, and not in wisdom.