Job Chapter 4

I’m not at rest; only trouble is coming.”              Job 3:20-26

1 Eliphaz the Temanite answered:

                  2 “Will you be offended if someone offers you advice?

                        Who can help speaking up?

                  3 You’ve admonished many people

                        and encouraged the weak.

                  4 What you’ve said has helped the tottering stand

                        and weak knees hold firm.

                  5 But now difficulty has come to you,

                        and you’re impatient and distressed.

                  6 Isn’t your reverence for God your confidence,

                        and the integrity of your ways your hope?          

Job 4:1-6

                  7 “Think now, who ever perished that was innocent?

                        Where were the godly ever destroyed?

                  8 In my experience, those who plow sin

                        and sow trouble, reap it.

                  9 They perish by God’s breath;

                        a blast of his anger consumes them.

                  10 A lion roars; it can roar loud;

                        but even the teeth of a young lion can be broken.

                  11 A lion perishes because there’s no prey,

                        and the cubs of a lioness scatter.                         

Job 4:7-11

                  12 “A message crept in quietly to me;

                        I heard it whisper.

                  13 In my dreams at night when deep sleep comes,

                        14 dread overwhelmed me, and I trembled all over.

                        15 A spirit glided by my face

                        and made my hair stand up.

                  16 It stood still,

                        but I couldn’t make out what it looked like;

                        a form hovered in front of me;

                        everything was quiet; then I heard a voice:

                              17 ‘Can mortals be good in God’s presence?

                                    Can they be as pure as their Maker?

                              18 God doesn’t trust his own servants;

                                    he even brings charges against his angels,

                                    19 much more those who live in clay houses,

                                          whose foundations lie in dust,

                                          who get crushed as easy as a moth!

                              20 In one day they’re broken to pieces;

                                    they perish forever without anyone noticing.

                              21 Isn’t their tent-rope pulled up inside them?

From the CYV translation by Virgil Warren, PhD