Job 4
Eliphaz tells Job that he has helped many people in the past, but now that he is suffering, he is impatient and dismayed. Eliphaz questions whether Job's fear of God and integrity are not enough to give him hope. He claims that innocent people do not perish and that those who do evil will reap trouble and be consumed by God's anger. Eliphaz then shares a vision he had in which a spirit told him that no mortal can be righteous before God, and that even God's angels are not perfect, so how can humans be expected to be pure.
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:2"If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking?3Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands.4Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees.5But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed.6Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?7"Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?8As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.9By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.10The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions are broken.11The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.12"Now a word was brought to me stealthily; my ear received the whisper of it.13Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,14dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.15A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up.16It 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 mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?18Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error;19how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.20Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces; they perish forever without anyone regarding it.21Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them, do they not die, and that without wisdom?'
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