Chapter 4

  And Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,  

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  If a word were essayed to thee, wouldest thou be grieved? But who can refrain from speaking?  

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  Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands;  

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  Thy words have upholden him that was stumbling, and thou hast braced up the bending knees:  

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  But now it is come upon thee, and thou grievest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.  

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  Hath not thy piety been thy confidence, and the perfection of thy ways thy hope?  

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  Remember, I pray thee, who that was innocent has perished? and where were the upright cut off?  

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  Even as I have seen, they that plough iniquity and sow mischief, reap the same.  

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  By the breath of +God they perish, and by the blast of his nostrils are they consumed.  

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  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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  The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered.  

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  Now to me a word was secretly brought, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.  

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  In thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men: --  

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  Fear came on me, and trembling, and made all my bones to shake;  

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  And a spirit passed before my face -- the hair of my flesh stood up --  

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  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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  Shall [mortal] man be more just than +God? Shall a man be purer than his Maker?  

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  Lo, he trusteth not his servants, and his angels he chargeth with folly:  

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  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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  From morning to evening are they smitten: without any heeding it, they perish for ever.  

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  Is not their tent-cord torn away in them? they die, and without wisdom.  

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