1 Then Eliphaz the Themanite answered, and said:
2 If we begin to speak to thee, perhaps thou wilt take it ill, but who can withhold the words he hath conceived?
3 Behold thou hast taught many, and thou hast strengthened the weary hands:
4 Thy words have confirmed them that were staggering, and thou hast strengthened the trembling knees:
5 But now the scourge is come upon thee, and thou faintest: it hath touched thee, and thou art troubled.
6 Where is thy fear, thy fortitude, thy patience, and the perfection of thy ways?
7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished being innocent? or when were the just destroyed?
8 On the contrary I have seen those who work iniquity, and sow sorrows, and reap them,
9 Perishing by the blast of God, and consumed by the spirit of his wrath.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the lioness, and the teeth of the whelps of lions are broken:
11 The tiger hath perished for want of prey, and the young lions are scattered abroad.
12 Now there was a word spoken to me in private, and my ears by stealth as it were received the veins of its whisper.
13 In the horror of a vision by night, when deep sleep is wont to hold men,
14 Fear seized upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were affrighted:
15 And when a spirit passed before me, the hair of my flesh stood up.
16 There stood one whose countenance I knew not, an image before my eyes, and I heard the voice as it were of a gentle wind:
17 Shall man be justified in comparison of God, or shall a man be more pure than his maker?
18 Behold they that serve him are not steadfast, and in his angels he found wickedness:
19 How much more shall they that dwell in houses of clay, who have an earthly foundation, be consumed as with the moth?
20 From morning till evening they shall be cut down: and because no one understandeth, they shall perish for ever.
21 And they that shall be left, shall be taken away from them: they shall 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.
Fejezetek: