Eliphaz Keeps On Talking

5 “Call now. Is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn? ² To be bitter kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the child-like. ³ I have seen the fool taking root, but right away his house was cursed. ⁴ His sons are far from being safe. They are destroyed in the gate, and there is no one to help them. ⁵ The hungry eat the food of his field. They take it even out of the thorns. And the thirsty want his riches. ⁶ For suffering does not come from the dust. Trouble does not grow out of the ground. ⁷ But man is born to trouble, as fire goes up.

⁸ “But as for me, I would look to God. I would put my troubles before God. ⁹ He does great things, too great for us to understand. He does too many wonderful things for us to number. ¹⁰ He gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields. ¹¹ He puts those who are in low places up to high places. Those who are filled with sorrow are lifted to where they are safe. ¹² He troubles the plans of those who try to fool people, so that their hands cannot do what they plan. ¹³ God gets them into a trap when they use their own wisdom. And the plans of the wise are brought to a quick end. ¹⁴ They meet with darkness during the day, and feel their way at noon as in the night. ¹⁵ But He saves from the sword those in need. He saves the poor from the power of the strong. ¹⁶ So those who have no hope, have hope, and what is not right and good must shut its mouth.

¹⁷ “See, happy is the man to whom God speaks strong words. So do not hate the strong teaching of the All-powerful. ¹⁸ He punishes, but He gives comfort. He hurts, but His hands heal. ¹⁹ He will take you out of six troubles. Yes, in seven, nothing will hurt you. ²⁰ He will keep you from death in times of no food, and from the power of the sword in war. ²¹ You will be hidden from the punishment of the tongue. You will not be afraid of being destroyed when danger comes. ²² You will laugh at danger and times of no food. And you will not be afraid of wild animals. ²³ For you will be in agreement with the stones of the field. And the animals of the field will be at peace with you. ²⁴ You will know that your tent is safe. You will look over what you have and see that nothing is gone. ²⁵ You will know also that your children and children’s children will be many. They will be as the grass of the earth. ²⁶ You will come to the grave in full strength, like the grain gathered in when it is time. ²⁷ See, this is what we have found, and it is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.”

Job Speaks

6 Then Job answered, ² “If only my trials and troubles were weighed! ³ They would weigh more than the sand of the seas. My words have been spoken fast and without thought. ⁴ For the arrows of the All-powerful are in me. My spirit drinks their poison. The hard things from God are like an army against me. ⁵ Does the wild donkey make noise when it has grass? Or does the bull make noise when it has food? ⁶ Can something that has no taste be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg? ⁷ My soul will not touch them. They are like hated food to me.

⁸ “If only I might get what I ask for, and that God would give me what I desire! ⁹ If only God were willing to crush me, that He would let His hand loose and destroy me! ¹⁰ But this gives me comfort even though I suffer much pain because I have not turned away from the words of the Holy One. ¹¹ What strength have I, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should not give up? ¹² Do I have the strength of stones? Is my flesh brass? ¹³ I have no power to help myself, and a way out is far from me.

¹⁴ “Kindness from a friend should be shown to a man without hope, or he might turn away from the fear of the All-powerful. ¹⁵ My brothers have been like rivers that are not there when needed. ¹⁶ They are dark because of ice and snow turning into water. ¹⁷ When they have no water, there is no noise. When it is hot, they are not there. ¹⁸ The people on their camels turn away from them. They go into the waste places and die. ¹⁹ The people and camels of Tema looked. The travelers of Sheba hoped for them. ²⁰ They were troubled for they had trusted. They came there and their hope goes. ²¹ Yes, this is how you have been. You see my trouble and are afraid. ²² Have I said, ‘Give me something,’ or, ‘Pay something from your riches to help me’? ²³ Have I said, ‘Take me out from under the power of the one who hates me,’ or, ‘Save me from those who make it hard for me’?

²⁴ “Teach me, and I will be quiet. Show me where I have been wrong. ²⁵ Honest words give pain. But what does your arguing prove? ²⁶ Do you think you can speak against my words, and act as if the words of a man without hope are wind? ²⁷ You would even draw names over those who have no father, and make trades over your friend. ²⁸ Now be pleased to look at me, and see if I lie to your face. ²⁹ I ask that you change your minds and let no wrong be done. Stop now, for I am still right and good. ³⁰ Is there wrong-doing on my tongue? Can I not taste trouble?