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Job 4: 1, 5: 6-27

Eliphaz Speaks: Job Has Sinned

4Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:
⁶ For misery does not come from the earth,
nor does trouble sprout from the ground;
⁷ but human beings are born to trouble
just as sparks^* fly upward.

⁸ ‘As for me, I would seek God,
   and to God I would commit my cause.
⁹ He does great things and unsearchable,
   marvellous things without number.
¹⁰ He gives rain on the earth
   and sends waters on the fields;
¹¹ he sets on high those who are lowly,
   and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
¹² He frustrates the devices of the crafty,
   so that their hands achieve no success.
¹³ He takes the wise in their own craftiness;
   and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
¹⁴ They meet with darkness in the daytime,
   and grope at noonday as in the night.
¹⁵ But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth,
   from the hand of the mighty.
¹⁶ So the poor have hope,
   and injustice shuts its mouth.

¹⁷ ‘How happy is the one whom God reproves;
   therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.^*
¹⁸ For he wounds, but he binds up;
   he strikes, but his hands heal.
¹⁹ He will deliver you from six troubles;
   in seven no harm shall touch you.
²⁰ In famine he will redeem you from death,
   and in war from the power of the sword.
²¹ You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,
   and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
²² At destruction and famine you shall laugh,
   and shall not fear the wild animals of the earth.
²³ For you shall be in league with the stones of the field,
   and the wild animals shall be at peace with you.
²⁴ You shall know that your tent is safe,
   you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
²⁵ You shall know that your descendants will be many,
   and your offspring like the grass of the earth.
²⁶ You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,
   as a shock of grain comes up to the threshing-floor in its season.
²⁷ See, we have searched this out; it is true.
   Hear, and know it for yourself.’

Sirach 4: 11-31

The Rewards of Wisdom

¹¹ Wisdom teaches^* her children
   and gives help to those who seek her.
¹² Whoever loves her loves life,
   and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.
¹³ Whoever holds her fast inherits glory,
   and the Lord blesses the place she^* enters.
¹⁴ Those who serve her minister to the Holy One;
   the Lord loves those who love her.
¹⁵ Those who obey her will judge the nations,
   and all who listen to her will live secure.
¹⁶ If they remain faithful, they will inherit her;
   their descendants will also obtain her.
¹⁷ For at first she will walk with them on tortuous paths;
   she will bring fear and dread upon them,
and will torment them by her discipline
   until she trusts them,^*
and she will test them with her ordinances.
¹⁸ Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them,
   and will reveal her secrets to them.
¹⁹ If they go astray she will forsake them,
   and hand them over to their ruin.

²⁰ Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
   and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
²¹ For there is a shame that leads to sin,
   and there is a shame that is glory and favour.
²² Do not show partiality, to your own harm,
   or deference, to your downfall.
²³ Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment,^*
   and do not hide your wisdom.^*
²⁴ For wisdom becomes known through speech,
   and education through the words of the tongue.
²⁵ Never speak against the truth,
   but be ashamed of your ignorance.
²⁶ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins,
   and do not try to stop the current of a river.
²⁷ Do not subject yourself to a fool,
   or show partiality to a ruler.
²⁸ Fight to the death for truth,
   and the Lord God will fight for you.

²⁹ Do not be reckless in your speech,
   or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.
³⁰ Do not be like a lion in your home,
   or suspicious of your servants.
³¹ Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive
   and closed when it is time to give.