4 But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.
4 You graffiti my life with lies. You're a bunch of pompous quacks!
4 But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians.
4 As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
2 "I have heard many things like these; you are miserable comforters, all of you!
2 "I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all.
2 "I've had all I can take of your talk. What a bunch of miserable comforters!
2 "I have heard many such things; Miserable comforters are you all!
2 "I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are!
(Read Job 16:1-5)
Eliphaz had represented Job's discourses as unprofitable, and nothing to the purpose; Job here gives his the same character. Those who pass censures, must expect to have them retorted; it is easy, it is endless, but what good does it do? Angry answers stir up men's passions, but never convince their judgments, nor set truth in a clear light. What Job says of his friends is true of all creatures, in comparison with God; one time or other we shall be made to see and own that miserable comforters are they all. When under convictions of sin, terrors of conscience, or the arrests of death, only the blessed Spirit can comfort effectually; all others, without him, do it miserably, and to no purpose. Whatever our brethren's sorrows are, we ought by sympathy to make them our own; they may soon be so.
34 "So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!"
34 How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood."
34 "So how do you expect me to get any comfort from your nonsense? Your so-called comfort is a tissue of lies."
34 How then can you comfort me with empty words, Since falsehood remains in your answers?"
34 "How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!"
(Read Job 21:27-34)
Job opposes the opinion of his friends, That the wicked are sure to fall into visible and remarkable ruin, and none but the wicked; upon which principle they condemned Job as wicked. Turn to whom you will, you will find that the punishment of sinners is designed more for the other world than for this, Jude 1:14,15. The sinner is here supposed to live in a great deal of power. The sinner shall have a splendid funeral: a poor thing for any man to be proud of the prospect of. He shall have a stately monument. And a valley with springs of water to keep the turf green, was accounted an honourable burial place among eastern people; but such things are vain distinctions. Death closes his prosperity. It is but a poor encouragement to die, that others have died before us. That which makes a man die with true courage, is, with faith to remember that Jesus Christ died and was laid in the grave, not only before us, but for us. That He hath gone before us, and died for us, who is alive and liveth for us, is true consolation in the hour of death.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 13:4
Commentary on Job 13:1-12
(Read Job 13:1-12)
With self-preference, Job declared that he needed not to be taught by them. Those who dispute are tempted to magnify themselves, and lower their brethren, more than is fit. When dismayed or distressed with the fear of wrath, the force of temptation, or the weight of affliction, we should apply to the Physician of our souls, who never rejects any, never prescribes amiss, and never leaves any case uncured. To Him we may speak at all times. To broken hearts and wounded consciences, all creatures, without Christ, are physicians of no value. Job evidently speaks with a very angry spirit against his friends. They had advanced some truths which nearly concerned Job, but the heart unhumbled before God, never meekly receives the reproofs of men.