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Job 11

Zophar’s First Response to Job

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:

Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?
Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?

“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
and a man full of talk be judged right?

Should I remain silent while you babble on?
When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?

Should your babble silence men,
and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’
and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean in God’sa eyes.’

If only God would speak;
if only he would tell you what he thinks!

But oh, that God would speak
and open his lips to you,

If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
for true wisdom is not a simple matter.
Listen! God is doubtless punishing you
far less than you deserve!

and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
For he is manifold in understanding.b
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

“Can you solve the mysteries of God?
Can you discover everything about the Almighty?

“Can you find out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?

Such knowledge is higher than the heavens —
and who are you?
It is deeper than the underworlda —
what do you know?

It is higher than heavenc — what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol — what can you know?

It is broader than the earth
and wider than the sea.

Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.

If God comes and puts a person in prison
or calls the court to order, who can stop him?

If he passes through and imprisons
and summons the court, who can turn him back?

For he knows those who are false,
and he takes note of all their sins.

For he knows worthless men;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

An empty-headed person won’t become wise
any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.b

But a stupid man will get understanding
when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!

“If only you would prepare your heart
and lift up your hands to him in prayer!

“If you prepare your heart,
you will stretch out your hands toward him.

Get rid of your sins,
and leave all iniquity behind you.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and let not injustice dwell in your tents.

Then your face will brighten with innocence.
You will be strong and free of fear.

Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure and will not fear.

You will forget your misery;
it will be like water flowing away.

You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

Your life will be brighter than the noonday.
Even darkness will be as bright as morning.

And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.

Having hope will give you courage.
You will be protected and will rest in safety.

And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.

You will lie down unafraid,
and many will look to you for help.

You will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
many will court your favor.

But the wicked will be blinded.
They will have no escape.
Their only hope is death.”

But the eyes of the wicked will fail;
all way of escape will be lost to them,
and their hope is to breathe their last.”

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