1 But Eliphaz the Themanite, answering, said:
2 If we start to speak to you, perhaps you will take it badly, but who can hold back the words he has conceived?
3 Behold, you have taught many, and you have strengthened weary hands.
4 Your words have reassured the wavering, and you have fortified the trembling knees.
5 But now the scourge has overcome you, and you falter. It has touched you, and you are disturbed.
6 Where is your reverence, your fortitude, your patience, and the perfection of your ways?
7 Consider this, I beg you: who ever perished being innocent? Or when have the righteous been destroyed?
8 In fact, I have instead seen those who work iniquity and who sow resentments, reap them,
9 perishing by the breath of God, and being consumed by the wrath of his spirit.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the lioness, and the teeth of young lions have been worn away.
11 The tiger has perished because it does not have prey, and the young lions have been scattered.
12 Furthermore, a word was spoken to me in secret, and, as if by theft, my ears received the pulse of its whisper.
13 In the horror of a vision by night, when men are accustomed to be overtaken by a deep sleep,
14 fear and trembling seized me and all my bones were terrified.
15 And when a spirit passed before me, the hair on my body stood up.
16 There appeared an image before my eyes, someone whose face I did not recognize, and I heard a voice like a gentle breeze.
17 Should man be justified in relation to God, or will a man be more pure than his Maker?
18 Behold, those who serve him are not steadfast, and in his angels he finds imperfection.
19 How much more will those who live in houses of clay, which have an earthly foundation, be consumed like the moth?
20 From morning all the way to evening, they will be cut down, and because no one understands, they will be destroyed without ceasing.
21 But those who are left behind will be taken away from them; they will die, and not in wisdom.
Versículos relacionados com Job, 4:
Job's chapter 4 presents Elifaz's speech, one of Job's friends who tries to comfort him and convince him that his suffering is the result of his sins. Elifaz argues that God is righteous and that the righteous do not suffer, so Job must have done something wrong to deserve so much distress. Below are five verses from other Bible books that relate to the topics covered in Job 4:
Psalm 37:25: "I was young and now I am old, but I have never seen the righteous helplessness, nor his children begging bread." This verse contradicts Elifaz's statement that the righteous do not suffer, indicating that even the righteous may face difficulties and challenges.
Proverbs 3:11-12: "My Son, the Lord's correction, nor is it discouraged, not to be discouraged when, by him, he is rebuked. For the Lord rebukes whom he loves, as the Father, to the Son to whom he wants well." This verse talks about divine correction, which may include suffering and trials. This is relevant to Elifaz's perspective that Job must have done something wrong to deserve his suffering.
James 1:2-4: "My brothers, tend for all the joy of passing through various trials, knowing that the trial of your faith produces patience. And patience has your perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, without missing anything. " This verse talks about how trials can be an opportunity for growth and strengthening of faith. This is relevant to the situation of Job, which is being tested in his faithfulness to God.
Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways, my ways, says the Lord. For, just as heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways High than your ways and my thoughts, more than your thoughts. " This verse talks about how God's ways can be mysterious and unfathomable, which is relevant to the situation of Job, which is struggling to understand why he is suffering.
Romans 5:3-5: "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation produces patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope. And hope does not bring confusion, because God's love is poured into our hearts for the Holy Spirit given to us. " This verse talks about how tribulations can lead to growth in faith and greater hope. This is relevant to Job's situation, which is struggling to maintain his faith and hope amid suffering.
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