Job 4

1 In reply, Eliphaz from Teman answered:ISV — Job 4:1

2 “Will you get offended if somebody tries to talk to you? Who can keep from speaking at a time like this? ^{a4:3 The Heb. lacks at a time like this}ISV — Job 4:2

3 Look! You’ve admonished many people, ^{b4:3 The Heb. lacks people} and you’ve strengthened feeble hands.ISV — Job 4:3

4 A word from you has supported those who have stumbled, and has strengthened faltering knees.ISV — Job 4:4

5 “But now it’s your turn, and you’re the one who is worn out! ^{c4:5 Or impatient} Now it’s striking you, and you’re dismayed!ISV — Job 4:5

6 “Your fear of God has been your confidence, hasn’t it? The integrity of your life has been your hope, hasn’t it?ISV — Job 4:6

7 Now please think: Who has ever perished when they’re innocent? Where have the upright been destroyed?ISV — Job 4:7

8 It’s been my experience that those who plow the soil of ^{d4:8 The Heb. lacks the soil of} iniquity and those who sow the seed of ^{e4:8 The Heb. lacks the seed of} trouble will reap their harvest! ^{f4:8 The Heb. lacks their harvest}ISV — Job 4:8

9 They perish by the breath of God; they are consumed by the storm that is ^{g4:9 Or the breath of} his anger. ^{h4:9 Or anger}ISV — Job 4:9

10 “The lioness may roar, and the lion cub may growl; but even the ivory teeth of the full grown lion are broken.ISV — Job 4:10

11 Full grown lions die when they cannot find prey; that’s when the lion cubs are scattered.ISV — Job 4:11

12 “A message was confided ^{i4:12 Or was delivered in secret} to me; my ear caught a whisper of it.ISV — Job 4:12

13 Disquieting thoughts from dreams at night; when deep sleep falls on everyone. ^{j4:13 Lit. men}ISV — Job 4:13

14 A fear fell upon me, along with trembling that caused all my bones to shake in terror. ^{k4:14 Or dread}ISV — Job 4:14

15 A spirit glided past me and made the hair on my skin ^{l4:15 Lit. flesh} to bristle.ISV — Job 4:15

16 It remained standing, but I couldn’t recognize its appearance. A form appeared before my eyes; At first there was ^{m4:16 The Heb. lacks At first there was} silence, and then this voice:ISV — Job 4:16

17 ‘Can a mortal person ^{n4:17 Lit. a man} be more righteous than God? Or can the purity of the valiant exceed that of his maker?’ ^{o4:17 The quotation possibly continues through v 21.}ISV — Job 4:17

18 “Indeed, since he doesn’t trust his servants, ^{p4:18 Cf. Job 15:15} since he charges ^{q4:18 Or lay upon} his angels with error,ISV — Job 4:18

19 how much less confidence ^{r4:19 The Heb. lacks confidence} does he have in those who dwell in houses of clay; who were formed from a foundation in dust and can perish ^{s4:19 Lit. can crush them} like a moth?ISV — Job 4:19

20 They are defeated between morning and evening; they perish forever—and no one notices!ISV — Job 4:20

21 Their wealth ^{t4:21 Or remnants, left over} perishes with them, doesn’t it? They die, and do so without having wisdom, don’t they?”ISV — Job 4:21