Job 4:2 - Forerunner Commentary

Job 4:2

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

2 “If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary?
But who can withhold himself from speaking?

3 Surely you have instructed many,
And you ^ahave strengthened weak hands.

4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
And you ^ahave strengthened the feeble knees;

5 But now it comes upon you, and you are weary;
It touches you, and you are troubled.

6 Is not ^ayour reverence ^byour confidence?
And the integrity of your ways your hope?

7 “Remember now, ^awho ever perished being innocent?
Or where were the upright ever cut off?

8 Even as I have seen,
^aThose who plow iniquity
And sow trouble reap the same.

9 By the blast of God they perish,
And by the breath of His anger they are consumed.

10 The roaring of the lion,
The voice of the fierce lion,
And ^athe teeth of the young lions are broken.

11 ^aThe old lion perishes for lack of prey,
And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

12 “Now a word was secretly brought to me,
And my ear received a whisper of it.

13 ^aIn disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,

14 Fear came upon me, and ^atrembling,
Which made all my bones shake.

15 Then a spirit passed before my face;
The hair on my body stood up.

16 It stood still,
But I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence;
Then I heard a voice saying:

17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?

18 If He ^aputs no trust in His servants,
If He charges His angels with error,

19 How much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
Whose foundation is in the dust,
Who are crushed before a moth?

20 ^aThey are broken in pieces from morning till evening;
They perish forever, with no one regarding.

21 Does not their own excellence go away?
They die, even without wisdom.’

Verse Comparison: Job 4:2

American Standard Version
If one assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

Amplified® Bible
If we venture to converse with you, will you be offended? Yet who can restrain himself from speaking?

Contemporary English Version
Please be patient and listen to what I have to say.

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

Good News Bible
(SEE 4:1)

King James Version
If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

New American Standard Bible
"If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?

New International Version
"If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
But who can keep from speaking?

New King James Version
"If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary?
But who can withhold himself from speaking?

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
"If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?

Revised Standard Version
"If one ventures a word with you, will you be offended? Yet who can keep from speaking?

Young's Literal Translation
Hath one tried a word with thee? -- Thou art weary! And to keep in words who is able?

New English Translation
“If someone¹ should attempt² a word with you, will you be impatient?³ But who can refrain from speaking⁴?