Job 5

Chapter 5

Eliphaz’s Response Continues

1 “Cry for help, but will anyone answer you?
Which of the angelst will help you?2 Surely resentment destroys the fool,
and jealousy kills the simple.3 I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment,
but then comes sudden disaster.4 Their children are abandoned far from help;
they are crushed in court with no one to defend them.5 The hungry devour their harvest,
even when it is guarded by brambles.t
The thirsty pant after their wealth.6 But evil does not spring from the soil,
and trouble does not sprout from the earth.7 People are born for trouble
as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.8 “If I were you, I would go to God
and present my case to him.9 He does great things too marvelous to understand.
He performs countless miracles.10 He gives rain for the earth
and water for the fields.11 He gives prosperity to the poor
and protects those who suffer.12 He frustrates the plans of schemers
so the work of their hands will not succeed.13 He traps the wise in their own cleverness
so their cunning schemes are thwarted.14 They find it is dark in the daytime,
and they grope at noon as if it were night.15 He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong,
and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful.16 And so at last the poor have hope,
and the snapping jaws of the wicked are shut.17 “But consider the joy of those corrected by God!
Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.18 For though he wounds, he also bandages.
He strikes, but his hands also heal.19 From six disasters he will rescue you;
even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil.20 He will save you from death in time of famine,
from the power of the sword in time of war.21 You will be safe from slander
and have no fear when destruction comes.22 You will laugh at destruction and famine;
wild animals will not terrify you.23 You will be at peace with the stones of the field,
and its wild animals will be at peace with you.24 You will know that your home is safe.
When you survey your possessions, nothing will be missing.25 You will have many children;
your descendants will be as plentiful as grass!26 You will go to the grave at a ripe old age,
like a sheaf of grain harvested at the proper time!27 “We have studied life and found all this to be true.
Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself.”

JOB 5

Eliphaz Continues

Call Out for Help

1 Job, call out for help
and see if an angel comes!

2 Envy and jealousy
will kill a stupid fool.

3 I have seen fools take root.
But God sends a curse,
suddenly uprooting them

4 and leaving their children
helpless in court.

5 Then hungry and greedy people
gobble up their crops
and grab their wealth.t

6 Our suffering isn't caused
by the failure of crops;

7 it's all part of life,
like sparks shooting skyward.

8 Job, if I were you,
I would ask God for help.

9  t His miracles are marvelous,
more than we can count.

10 God sends showers on earth
and waters the fields.

11 He protects the sorrowful
and lifts up those
who have been disgraced.
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12 God swiftly traps the wicked

13  t in their own evil schemes,
and their wisdom fails.

14 Darkness is their only companion,
hiding their path at noon.

15 God rescues the needy
from the words of the wicked
and the fist of the mighty.

16 The poor are filled with hope,
and injustice is silenced.

Consider Yourself Fortunate

17  t Consider yourself fortunate
if God All-Powerful
chooses to correct you.

18  t He may cause injury and pain,
but he will bandage and heal
your cuts and bruises.

19 God will protect you from harm,
no matter how often
trouble may strike.

20 In times of war and famine,
God will keep you safe.

21 You will be sheltered,
without fear of hurtful words
or any other weapon.

22 You will laugh at the threat
of destruction and famine.
And you won't be afraid
of wild animals—

23 they will no longer be fierce,
and your rocky fields
will become friendly.

24 Your home will be secure,
and your sheep will be safe.

25 You will have more descendants
than there are blades of grass
on the face of the earth.

26 You will live a very long life,
and your body will be strong
until the day you die.

27 Our experience has proven
these things to be true,
so listen and learn.