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OET-RV by section JOB 4:1

JOB 4:1–5:27 ©

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

Elifaz’s first response to Iyyov

4:1 Elifaz’s first response to Iyyov

(4:1–14:22)

4Then Elifaz (from Teman) replied:

2If someone tries to talk with you, will it wear you out?

But who can resist answering?

3Listen, you’ve instructed many other people.

And you’ve encouraged those who were weak.

4Your words have encouraged those who were stumbling.

You’ve strengthened those whose knees were buckling.

5But now it’s you in trouble and you’re depressed.

Troubles touch you and you’re discouraged.

6Doesn’t your faith give you confidence?

What about your hope and your integrity?

7Remember: Who has ever perished when they were innocent?[fn]

Or when were godly people ever destroyed?


8Just like I’ve seen those who plant evil and sow mischief harvest it back again,

9God’s breath causes them to perish,

and with a snort of his nose they come to an end.

10The lion roars and the UNKNOWN-lion sounds his voice,

AND the teeth of the young lions are broken.

11The UNKNOWN-lion starves to death because of a lack of prey,

and the lionesses cubs are scattered.


12Now a message was brought secretly to me,

and my ears caught a whisper of it.

13When troubled by thoughts from dreams in the night,

when people have fallen into deep sleep,

14I was hit by fear and trembling

my bones were shaking with fright.

15A spirit passed over my face,

and the hairs on my body stood on end.

16It stood still, but I didn’t recognise what it was.

There was an image in front of my eyes.

It was silent and then I heard a voice:

17‘Can a mortal human be innocent before God?

Can a person be more pure than the creator of people?‘[fn]

18Listen, he doesn’t even trust his own servants,

and he accuses his own messengers of making mistakes.

19How much less for those whose bodies were made from the clay,

whose foundations were made from the dust.

They’re crushed even easier than a moth is.

20They’re destroyed from morning to evening.

They’re always dying even without anyone doing anything.

21Their tent cords are pulled out on them.

They die and don’t even know why.

5Call out to God now. Does anyone answer?

Which of the holy ones will you turn to?

2Resentment kills foolish people.

Jealousy kills those who’re simple-minded.

3I’ve seen foolish people taking root,

then I’ve immediately cursed their homes.

4Their children are far from safety,

and they[fn] are crushed in the gate,[fn]

and no one saves them.

5Those who’re hungry consume his harvest

even getting it from among the thorns.

Greedy people long for his wealth.

6Hardship doesn’t just grow up from the dust,

and trouble doesn’t just spring up from the ground.

7Everyone is born into trouble

sparks tend to fly up high.


8But for myself, I’ll search for God

and I’ll approach him with my case.

9He does incredible things,

and performs wonders without number that are beyond our understanding.

10He’s the one giving rain all over the earth,

and sending water onto the fields.


11God helps the humble to prosper,

and he lifts those who’re mourning to a safe place.

12He frustrates the schemes of the crafty,

so their actions cannot succeed.

13He catches smart people in their craftiness,

and he hurries along the plans of those who’re deceptive.

14Even in the daytime, they remain in darkness.

Even at midday, they feel their way around as if it’s nighttime.

15He saves the poor from the plans of those smart people,

and from the actions of powerful people.

16So the poor have hope,

and injustice is silenced.


17Listen, the person who’s corrected by God is blessed.

Don’t despise chastening from God the provider.

18He wounds and he also bandages up.

He strikes but his hands also heal.

19If you get in trouble six times, he’ll rescue you.

Even seven times, he’ll prevent you from being harmed.

20During famines, he’ll rescue you from death,

and in war, he’ll save you from slaughter.

21He’ll hide you away from hurting words,

and when destruction comes, you won’t be afraid.

22You’ll laugh at destruction and at famine,

and you won’t be afraid of wild animals,

23because you have an agreement with the stones in the fields for walls,

and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

24You’ll know that your home is secure,

and you’ll inspect your animal shelters and nothing will be missing.

25You’ll know that your descendants will be numerous,

and your offspring like the grass on the land.

26You’ll reach an old age before you get to the grave,

like grain that’s harvested at the right time.

27Listen to this: we’ve investigated and it’s true.

Listen to it so you’ll know for yourself.


4:7 Don’t forget that this is Elifaz giving his opinions and advice, and not necessarily endorsed as theologically sound. See God’s disapproval of the words of Elifaz and his companions in Job 42:7-8.

4:17 All speech marks in Bible translations are added by the translators. It’s not certain from the text whether or not this was what ‘the voice’ said, and if it is (as we assumed), it’s not clear where ‘the voice’ stopped speaking and Elifaz resumes. (Many translations put it at the end of the chapter, but remember that chapter breaks are also rather arbitrary and not in the original manuscripts.)

5:4 This could refer to either the foolish people (v3) OR their children.

5:4 This could refer to any gate, or possibly to the hearings/court of the elders conducted at the village/city gate.

JOB 4:1–5:27 ©

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