Job 17:5

5 A person might speak against his friends for money, but if he does, the eyes of his children go blind.

Job 17:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 17:5

He that speaketh flattery to [his] friends
As Job's friends did to him when they promised great outward prosperity, and a restoration to his former state, and to a greater affluence upon his repentance and reformation; or when they spoke deceitfully for God, pretending great regard to the honour of his justice and holiness, and therefore insisted on it that he must be a wicked man and an hypocrite, that was afflicted by him, as Job was:

even the eyes of his children shall fail;
so hateful are some sins to God, and particularly deceitful tongues, and flattering lips, that he will punish them in their posterity; the eyes of their children shall fail for want of sustenance, and while they are looking in vain for salvation and deliverance out of trouble, see ( Exodus 20:4 ) .

Job 17:5 In-Context

3 "God, make me a promise. No one will make a pledge for me.
4 You have closed their minds to understanding. Do not let them win over me.
5 A person might speak against his friends for money, but if he does, the eyes of his children go blind.
6 "God has made my name a curse word; people spit in my face.
7 My sight has grown weak because of my sadness, and my body is as thin as a shadow.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.