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Job4

Eliphaz the Temanite begins his address to Job, questioning Job's reaction to suffering despite his past role as a comforter. He asserts that the innocent do not perish, implying Job's suffering is a consequence of sin, as those who sow wickedness reap destruction. Eliphaz then recounts a terrifying night vision where a spirit declared that no mortal man can be more just or pure than God, emphasizing humanity's frailty and God's absolute sovereignty.

Eliphaz Begins His Counsel

1
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, and sayde,
2
If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieued? but who can withholde himselfe from speaking?
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Behold, thou hast taught many, and hast strengthened the wearie hands.
4
Thy wordes haue confirmed him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the weake knees.
5
But now it is come vpon thee, and thou art grieued: it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6
Is not this thy feare, thy confidence, thy pacience, and the vprightnesse of thy wayes?

The Doctrine of Retribution

7
Remember, I pray thee: who euer perished, being an innocent? or where were the vpright destroyed?
8
As I haue seene, they that plow iniquitie, and sowe wickednesse, reape the same.
9
With the blast of God they perish, and with the breath of his nostrels are they cosumed.
10
The roaring of the Lion, and the voyce of the Lionesse, and the teeth of the Lions whelpes are broken.
11
The Lyon perisheth for lacke of pray, and the Lyons whelpes are scattered abroade.

Eliphaz’s Mystical Revelation

12
But a thing was brought to me secretly, and mine eare hath receiued a litle thereof.
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In the thoughtes of ye visions of the night, when sleepe falleth on men,
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Feare came vpon me, and dread which made all my bones to tremble.
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And the wind passed before me, and made the heares of my flesh to stande vp.
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Then stoode one, and I knewe not his face: an image was before mine eyes, and in silence heard I a voyce, saying,
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Shall man be more iust then God? or shall a man be more pure then his maker?
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Beholde, he founde no stedfastnesse in his Seruants, and laid follie vpon his Angels.
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Howe much more in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which shalbe destroyed before the moth?
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They be destroyed from the morning vnto the euening: they perish for euer, without regarde.
21
Doeth not their dignitie goe away with them? do they not die, and that without wisdom?
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