^4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, ^4:2 If a man tries to speak with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking? ^4:3 Behold, you have instructed many and you have strengthened the weak hands. ^4:4 Your words have upheld him who was falling and you have made firm the feeble knees.

    ^4:5 But now it comes to you and you faint. It touches you and you are troubled.

    ^4:6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, the integrity of your ways your hope? ^4:7 I beseech you, remember those who perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?

    ^4:8 According to what I have seen, those who plow wickedness and sow trouble, reap the same. ^4:9 By the breath of God they perish and by the blast of his anger they are consumed. ^4:10 The roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. ^4:11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey and the cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.

    ^4:12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me and my ear received a whisper of it. ^4:13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, ^4:14 fear came upon me and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. ^4:15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. ^4:16 It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance of it. A form was before my eyes.

    There was silence and I heard a voice, saying,^4:17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his maker? ^4:18 Behold, he puts no trust in his servants and he charges his messengers with error.

    ^4:19 How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth! ^4:20 Between morning and evening they are destroyed. They perish forever without any regarding it. ^4:21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? They die and that without wisdom.