4 You have closed their minds to understanding; therefore you will not let them triumph.
4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
4 Since you have closed their hearts to understanding, therefore you will not let them triumph.
4 These people are so useless! You know firsthand how stupid they can be. You wouldn't let them have the last word, would you?
4 For You have hidden their heart from understanding; Therefore You will not exalt them.
4 You have closed their minds to understanding, but do not let them triumph.
10 "But come on, all of you, try again! I will not find a wise man among you.
10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
10 But you, come on again, all of you, and I shall not find a wise man among you.
10 "Maybe you'd all like to start over, to try it again, the bunch of you. So far I haven't come across one scrap of wisdom in anything you've said.
10 "But please, come back again, all of you, For I shall not find one wise man among you.
10 "As for all of you, come back with a better argument, though I still won't find a wise man among you.
(Read Job 17:10-16)
Job's friends had pretended to comfort him with the hope of his return to a prosperous estate; he here shows that those do not go wisely about the work of comforting the afflicted, who fetch their comforts from the possibility of recovery in this world. It is our wisdom to comfort ourselves, and others, in distress, with that which will not fail; the promise of God, his love and grace, and a well-grounded hope of eternal life. See how Job reconciles himself to the grave. Let this make believers willing to die; it is but going to bed; they are weary, and it is time that they were in their beds. Why should not they go willingly when their Father calls them? Let us remember our bodies are allied to corruption, the worm and the dust; and let us seek for that lively hope which shall be fulfilled, when the hope of the wicked shall be put out in darkness; that when our bodies are in the grave, our souls may enjoy the rest reserved for the people of God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 17:4
Commentary on Job 17:1-9
(Read Job 17:1-9)
Job reflects upon the harsh censures his friends had passed upon him, and, looking on himself as a dying man, he appeals to God. Our time is ending. It concerns us carefully to redeem the days of time, and to spend them in getting ready for eternity. We see the good use the righteous should make of Job's afflictions from God, from enemies, and from friends. Instead of being discouraged in the service of God, by the hard usage this faithful servant of God met with, they should be made bold to proceed and persevere therein. Those who keep their eye upon heaven as their end, will keep their feet in the paths of religion as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they may meet with.