1 Eliphaz the Temanite spoke next:
2 Shall we speak? Do you mind? For who could remain silent?
3 Remember how you have taught many others, how you have strengthened their feeble hands.
4 Your words have supported those who wavered, have steadied the knees that faltered.
5 But when your turn has come, you are discouraged; as soon as you are struck, you are dismayed.
6 Should you not rely on your piety, and find assurance in your integrity?
7 Have you seen a guiltless man perish, or an upright man done away with?
8 As I see it, those who plow evil or those who sow trouble reap the same.
9 By the breath of God they are swept away; by the blast of his wrath they are destroyed.
10 The lion may roar and growl; it will fall, the teeth of its cubs will be broken.
11 The lion will die for lack of prey, and the whelps of its mate will stray.
12 I had a secret revelation; a whisper of it reached my ear.
13 Amid thoughts from night visions, when men are heavily wrapped in slumber,
14 I was seized with fear and trembling that shook me to my very bones.
15 A spirit passed over my face, and the hair of my body stood on end.
16 It stopped and stood before my eyes, but I could not make out what it was. Silence... and then - a voice was heard:
17 "Can a mortal be just in the eyes of God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?
18 If God can put no trust in his servants, if he can charge his angels with error,
19 how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed as easily as moths!
20 Between dawn and dusk they perish, and unheeded, vanish forever,
21 Their tent has been unpegged and they died without knowing why.
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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