Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 “Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
and a man full of talk be judged right?
and a man full of talk be judged right?
3 Should your babble silence men,
and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
4 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
and I am clean in God’sa eyes.’
and I am clean in God’sa eyes.’
5 But oh, that God would speak
and open his lips to you,
and open his lips to you,
6 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.
For he is manifold in understanding.b
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
7 “Can you find out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
8 It is higher than heavenc — what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol — what can you know?
Deeper than Sheol — what can you know?
9 Its measure is longer than the earth
and broader than the sea.
and broader than the sea.
10 If he passes through and imprisons
and summons the court, who can turn him back?
and summons the court, who can turn him back?
11 For he knows worthless men;
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
12 But a stupid man will get understanding
when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!
when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!
13 “If you prepare your heart,
you will stretch out your hands toward him.
you will stretch out your hands toward him.
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
you will be secure and will not fear.
you will be secure and will not fear.
16 You will forget your misery;
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.
its darkness will be like the morning.
18 And you will feel secure, because there is hope;
you will look around and take your rest in security.
you will look around and take your rest in security.
19 You will lie down, and none will make you afraid;
many will court your favor.
many will court your favor.
20 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.”
all way of escape will be lost to them,
and their hope is to breathe their last.”