Job 4

Eliphaz Says the Innocent Do Not Suffer

1Then Eliphaz the Temanite responded,2“If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But 1who can refrain 2from speaking?3Behold, 3you have taught many, And you have strengthened weak hands.4Your words have helped the stumbling to stand, And you have strengthened 4feeble knees.5But now it comes to you, and you 5are impatient; It 6touches you, and you are horrified.6Is your 78fear of God not 9your confidence, And the integrity of your ways your hope?

7“Remember now, 10who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed?8According to what I have seen, 11those who 12plow wrongdoing And those who sow trouble harvest it.9By 13the breath of God they perish, And 14by the 15blast of His anger they come to an end.10The 16roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions are broken out.11The 17lion perishes for lack of prey, And the 18cubs of the lioness are scattered.

12“Now a word 19was brought to me secretly, And my ear received a 20whisper of it.13Amid disquieting 21thoughts from visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on people,14Dread came upon me, and trembling, And made 22all my bones shake.15Then a 23spirit passed by my face; The hair of my flesh stood up.16Something was standing still, but I could not recognize its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, then I heard a voice:17‘Can 24mankind be righteous 25before God? Can a man be pure 26before his 27Maker?1828He puts no trust even in His servants; And He accuses His angels of error.19How much more those who live in 29houses of clay, Whose 30foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before the moth!2031Between morning and evening they are broken in pieces; Unregarded, they 32perish forever.21Is their 33tent-cord not pulled out within them? They die, yet 34without wisdom.’