4 A reply to Job from Eliphaz the Temanite:

² “Will you let me say a word? For who could keep from speaking out? ^3-4 In the past^[a] you have told many a troubled soul to trust in God and have encouraged those who are weak or falling, or lie crushed upon the ground or are tempted to despair. ⁵ But now when trouble strikes, you faint and are broken.

⁶ “At such a time as this should not trust in God still be your confidence? Shouldn’t you believe that God will care for those who are good?^{[b] 7-8} Stop and think! Have you ever known a truly good and innocent person who was punished? Experience teaches that it is those who sow sin and trouble who harvest the same. ⁹ They die beneath the hand of God. ¹⁰ Though they are fierce as young lions, they shall all be broken and destroyed. ¹¹ Like aged, helpless lions they shall starve, and all their children shall be scattered.

¹² “This truth was given me in secret, as though whispered in my ear. ¹³ It came in a nighttime vision as others slept. ¹⁴ Suddenly, fear gripped me; I trembled and shook with terror, ¹⁵ as a spirit passed before my face—my hair stood up on end. ¹⁶ I felt the spirit’s presence, but couldn’t see it standing there. Then out of the dreadful silence came this voice:

¹⁷ “‘Is mere man more just than God? More pure than his Creator?’

^18-19 “If God cannot trust his own messengers (for even angels make mistakes), how much less men made of dust, who are crushed to death as easily as moths! ²⁰ They are alive in the morning, but by evening they are dead, gone forever with hardly a thought from anyone. ²¹ Their candle of life is snuffed out. They die and no one cares.