OEB JOB Chapter 4

4 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: 2 May we lift up a word unto thee who art fainting,

For who has the heart to restrain his speech?

3 see! thou hast instructed many,

And strengthened the drooping hands.

4 Thy words used to set up the stumbling,

And strengthen the tottering knees.

5 But now that it comes upon thee, thou art faint;

Now that it reaches thyself, thou art terrified.

6 Is not thy religion thy confidence,

And thy blameless life thy hope?

7 Bethink thee: has an innocent man ever perished,

Or when have the just been cut off?

8 It is those who plough wrong and sow trouble

That reap it: – for this have I seen.

9 By the breath of God they perish,

At the blast of HIs anger they vanish.

10 The Lion roared, the hoarse lion thundered:

But his young lion’s teeth were broken.

11 So for lack of prey he perished,

And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

12 Now to me a word came stealing,

And mine ear caught a whisper thereof,

13 In thoughts from the visions of night,

When deep sleep falleth on men.

14 Fear came upon me and trembling,

That made my bones all quake.

15 Then a breath passed over my face,

The hair of my flesh bristled up.

16 There – it – stood.

I could not tell what it looked like–

This form before mine eyes.

In the silence I heard a voice say:

17 "Can mortal be just before God,

Or a man clean before his Creator?

18 See! He putteth no trust in His servants,

His angels He chargeth with folly.

19 How much more those whose houses are clay,

Whose very foundation is dust,

Who die before the moth,

20 Crushed between morning and evening,

Bruised without any regarding it,

Perished for evermore!

21 The cord of their tent is torn from them:

They die – but without learning wisdom."