1 Then Eli'phaz the Te'manite answered:
2 "If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended? Yet who can keep from speaking?
3 Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands.
4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees.
5 But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed.
6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?
7 "Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?
8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.
9 By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.
10 The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.
12 "Now a word was brought to me stealthily, my ear received the whisper of it.
13 Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,
14 dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.
15 A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up.
16 It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice:
17 `Can mortal man be righteous before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?
18 Even in his servants he puts no trust, and his angels he charges with error;
19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth.
20 Between morning and evening they are destroyed; they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 If their tent-cord is plucked up within them, do they not die, and that without 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: