4
Eliphaz: Innocent Do Not Suffer
Then Eliphaz the Temanite 1Lit answered and saidanswered,
“If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient?
But AJob 32:18-20who can refrain 1Lit in wordsfrom speaking?
“Behold AJob 4:3, 4; 29:15, 16, 21, 25you have admonished many,
And you have strengthened weak hands.
“Your words have 1Lit causedhelped the tottering to stand,
And you have strengthened 2Lit bowingfeeble knees.
“But now it has come to you, and you AJob 6:14are impatient;
It BJob 19:21touches you, and you are dismayed.
“Is not your 1Or reverenceAJob 1:1fear of God BProv 3:26your confidence,
And the integrity of your ways your hope?
 
“Remember now, AJob 8:20; 36:6, 7; Ps 37:25who ever perished being innocent?
Or where were the upright destroyed?
“According to what I have seen, AJob 15:31, 35; Prov 22:8; Hos 10:13; Gal 6:7those who plow iniquity
And those who sow trouble harvest it.
“By AJob 15:30; Is 11:4; 30:33; 2 Thess 2:8the breath of God they perish,
And BJob 40:11-13by the 1Lit windblast of His anger they come to an end.
10 “The AJob 5:15; Ps 58:6roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion,
And the teeth of the young lions are broken.
11 “The AJob 29:17; Ps 34:10lion perishes for lack of prey,
And the BJob 5:4; 20:10; 27:14whelps of the lioness are scattered.
 
12 “Now a word AJob 4:12-17; 33:15-18was brought to me stealthily,
And my ear received a BJob 26:14whisper of it.
13 “Amid disquieting AJob 33:15thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,
14 Dread came upon me, and trembling,
And made 1Lit the multitude ofall my bones shake.
15 “Then a 1Or breath passed overspirit passed by my face;
The hair of my flesh bristled up.
16 “It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence, then I heard a voice:
17 ‘Can AJob 9:2; 25:4mankind be just 1Lit frombefore God?
Can a man be pure 1Lit frombefore his BJob 31:15; 32:22; 35:10; 36:3Maker?
18 AJob 15:15He puts no trust even in His servants;
And against His angels He charges error.
19 ‘How much more those who dwell in AJob 10:9; 33:6houses of clay,
Whose BGen 2:7; 3:19; Job 22:16foundation is in the dust,
Who are crushed before the moth!
20 AJob 14:2Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces;
Unobserved, they BJob 14:20; 20:7perish forever.
21 ‘Is not their AJob 8:22tent-cord plucked up within them?
They die, yet BJob 18:21; 36:12without wisdom.’

14:1 Lit answered and said

A4:2 Job 32:18-20

14:2 Lit in words

A4:3 Job 4:3, 4; 29:15, 16, 21, 25

14:4 Lit caused

24:4 Lit bowing

A4:5 Job 6:14

B4:5 Job 19:21

14:6 Or reverence

A4:6 Job 1:1

B4:6 Prov 3:26

A4:7 Job 8:20; 36:6, 7; Ps 37:25

A4:8 Job 15:31, 35; Prov 22:8; Hos 10:13; Gal 6:7

A4:9 Job 15:30; Is 11:4; 30:33; 2 Thess 2:8

B4:9 Job 40:11-13

14:9 Lit wind

A4:10 Job 5:15; Ps 58:6

A4:11 Job 29:17; Ps 34:10

B4:11 Job 5:4; 20:10; 27:14

A4:12 Job 4:12-17; 33:15-18

B4:12 Job 26:14

A4:13 Job 33:15

14:14 Lit the multitude of

14:15 Or breath passed over

A4:17 Job 9:2; 25:4

14:17 Lit from

14:17 Lit from

B4:17 Job 31:15; 32:22; 35:10; 36:3

A4:18 Job 15:15

A4:19 Job 10:9; 33:6

B4:19 Gen 2:7; 3:19; Job 22:16

A4:20 Job 14:2

B4:20 Job 14:20; 20:7

A4:21 Job 8:22

B4:21 Job 18:21; 36:12