| Chapter 4 |
1 |
And Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
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2 |
If a word were essayed to thee, wouldest thou be grieved? But who can refrain from speaking?
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3 |
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands;
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4 |
Thy words have upholden him that was stumbling, and thou hast braced up the bending knees:
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5 |
But now it is come upon thee, and thou grievest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
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6 |
Hath not thy piety been thy confidence, and the perfection of thy ways thy hope?
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7 |
Remember, I pray thee, who that was innocent has perished? and where were the upright cut off?
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8 |
Even as I have seen, they that plough iniquity and sow mischief, reap the same.
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9 |
By the breath of +God they perish, and by the blast of his nostrils are they consumed.
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10 |
The roar of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken;
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11 |
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.
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12 |
Now to me a word was secretly brought, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.
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13 |
In thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men: --
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14 |
Fear came on me, and trembling, and made all my bones to shake;
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15 |
And a spirit passed before my face -- the hair of my flesh stood up --
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16 |
It stood still; I could not discern the appearance thereof: a form was before mine eyes; I heard a slight murmur and a voice:
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17 |
Shall [mortal] man be more just than +God? Shall a man be purer than his Maker?
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18 |
Lo, he trusteth not his servants, and his angels he chargeth with folly:
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19 |
How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed as the moth!
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20 |
From morning to evening are they smitten: without any heeding it, they perish for ever.
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21 |
Is not their tent-cord torn away in them? they die, and without wisdom.
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