Aa
Zophar Speaks
1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2Should this abundance of words11:2 Jb 8:2; Pr 10:19; Ec 5:3 go unanswered
and such a talker11:2 Lit a man of lips be acquitted?
3Should your babbling put others to silence,
so that you can keep on ridiculing
with no one to humiliate you?
4You have said, “My teaching11:4 Dt 32:2; Pr 4:2; Is 29:24 is sound,
and I am pure in your sight.”
5But if only God would speak
and open his lips against you!
6He would show you the secrets of wisdom,11:6 Jb 28:12; 38:36; Ec 7:23,25
for true wisdom has two sides.
Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your iniquity.11:6 Ezr 9:13; Ps 103:10

7Can you fathom the depths of God
or discover the limits of the Almighty?11:7 Ec 3:11; 8:17; Rm 11:33
8They are higher than the heavens — what can you do?
They are deeper than Sheol — what can you know?11:8 Dt 30:12–13; Ps 139:8–9; Am 9:2–3
9Their measure is longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.

10If he passes by and throws someone in prison
or convenes a court, who can stop him?11:10 Jb 9:12; 23:13; Rv 3:7
11Surely he knows which people are worthless.
If he sees iniquity, will he not take note of it?11:11 Jb 34:25; Ps 10:14
12But a stupid person will gain understanding
as soon as a wild donkey is born a human!

13As for you, if you redirect your heart
and spread out your hands to him in prayer —
14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it,
and don’t allow injustice to dwell in your tents —
15then you will hold your head high, free from fault.
You will be firmly established and unafraid.11:15 Jb 22:26; Ps 119:6; 1Jn 3:21
16For you will forget your suffering,
recalling it only as water that has flowed by.
17Your life will be brighter than noonday;
its darkness11:17 Text emended; MT reads noonday; you are dark, you will be like the morning.11:17 Jb 17:12; Ps 37:6; Is 58:8,10
18You will be confident, because there is hope.11:18 Jb 4:6; Ps 119:116; Jr 17:7
You will look carefully about and lie down in safety.11:18 Jb 24:23; Ps 4:8; Pr 3:24

19You will lie down with no one to frighten you,
and many will seek your favor.11:19 Ps 45:12; Pr 19:6; 29:26
20But the sight of the wicked11:20 Jb 3:17; 9:22; 18:5 will fail.
Their way of escape will be cut off,
and their only hope is their last breath.11:20 Jb 8:13; Pr 10:28; 11:7