Zophar’s First Response to Job

1 ThenZophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2 “Should an abundance of words go unanswered,

or a man full of talkbe vindicated?

3 Should your loose talk put people to silence?

And when you mock, shall no one put you to shame?

4 For you say, ‘My teaching is pure,

and I am clean in your sight.’

5 But,O thatGod might speak,

and that he would open his lips to you,

6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,

for insight has many sides.

And know that God on your behalfhas forgotten some ofyour guilt.

7 “Can you find out the essence of God,

or can you find out the ultimate limitsof Shaddai?

8 It is higher than the heaven;what can you do?

It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know?

9 Its measure is longer than the earth

and broader than the sea.

10 “If he passes through and imprisons someone

and summons the assembly,thenwho can hinder him?

11 For he knows those who are worthless;

when he seesiniquity, he will not consider it.

12 Butan empty-headed personwill get understanding

whena wild donkey’s colt is born as a human being.

13 “If you yourselfdirect your heart

and stretch out your hands to him—

14 if iniquityis in your hand, put it far away,

and you must not let wickedness reside in your tents—

15 surely then you will lift up your face withoutblemish,

and you will be firmly established and will not fear.

16 For you yourselfwill forget your misery;

you will remember it as water that has flowed past.

17 “And your life will be brighter than noon;

its darkness will be like the morning.

18 And you will have confidence because there is hope;

and you will be well protected—you will sleep in safety.

19 And you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;

and many will entreat your favor.

20 Butthe eyes of the wicked will fail;

and refuge will be lost to them,

and their hope is to breathe their last breath.”