Thomson(i)
1 Here Eliphaz the Thaimianite interrupting him, said,
2 Should frequent replies be made to thee in distress? But o who can bear the vehemence of thy words?
3 For if thou hast instructed many; and strengthened hands which were weak; and raised up with words them who were fainting;
4 and given courage to knees which were strengthless:
5 but now, when trouble hath come upon thee and touched thee, thou art impatient:
6 is not either thy fear grounded on folly; or thy hope? And this calamity the effect of thy conduct?
7 Recollect therefore. Who ever perished, being innocent? Or when were the righteous utterly destroyed?
8 As I have seen men ploughing improper grounds: they who sow such places shall reap sorrows.
9 By the decree of the Lord they shall perish; and by the blast of his ire be utterly consumed.
10 The strength of a lion and the roaring of a lioness and the boastful pride of dragons have been extinguished.
11 The myrmekoleon hath perished for want of food: and young lions have forsaken each other.
12 But had there been any truth in thy words; none of these evils would have happened to thee.
13 Should not my ear receive unusual things coming from him? At a dreadful sound by night, when terror appalleth men,
14 I was seized with a horror and trembling, which gave a violent shog to my bones.
15 A wind indeed blew full in my face, and my hair stood erect and my flesh quivered.
16 I started up, but could perceive nothing: I looked, but there was no form before my eyes. I only heard a sound and a voice, saying:
17 "What! can a mortal be pure before the Lord, or a man by his works be blameless?"
18 If in his servants he placeth not confidence, and in his angels perceiveth some blemish:
19 how should he treat them who dwell in houses of clay, [of which clay we indeed are] but as worms?
20 but from morning till noon: and they are no more.
21 Because they could not help themselves they were destroyed. For he blowed on them and they withered: they perished because they had not wisdom.