Job 4

1. Then Elifaz the Teimani spoke up:

2. “If one tries to speak to you, will you mind? 2 Yet who could keep from speaking?

3. You have given moral instruction to many, 3 you have firmed up feeble hands,

4. your words have supported those who were stumbling, 4 and you have strengthened the weak-kneed.

5. “But now it comes to you, and you are impatient; 5 at the first touch, you are in shock.

6. Isn’t your fear of God your assurance, 6 and the integrity of your ways your hope?

7. “Think back: what innocent person has perished? 7 Since when are the upright destroyed?

8. What I see is that those who plow sin 8 and sow trouble reap just that.

9. At a breath from God, they perish; 9 at a blast from his anger, they are consumed.

10. The lion may growl, the king lion may roar, 10 but that old lion’s teeth are broken;

11. so the lion succumbs from lack of prey, 11 and the lion’s cubs are scattered.

12. “For a word was stealthily brought to me, 12 my ear caught only a whisper of it.

13. In passing thoughts flashing through visions at night, 13 when sleep lies heavy on people,

14. a shiver of horror came over me; 14 it made all my bones tremble.

15. Then a spirit passed in front of my face; 15 the hair of my flesh stood on end.

16. It stood still, 16 but I couldn’t make out its appearance; 16 yet the form stayed there before my eyes. 16 Then I heard a subdued voice:

17. ‘Can a human be seen by God as righteous? 17 Can a mortal be pure before his maker?

18. [God] doesn’t trust his own servants, 18 he finds fault even with his angels;

19. much more those living in houses of clay, 19 whose foundation is in the dust. 19 They are crushed more easily than a worm;

20. shattered between morning and evening; 20 they perish forever, and no one takes notice.

21. Their cord within them is pulled up; 21 then they die, without ever gaining wisdom.’