1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?11.2 full…: Heb. of lips 3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?11.3 lies: or, devices 4For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. 5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; 6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?11.8 as high…: Heb. the heights of heaven 9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?11.10 cut…: or, make a change11.10 hinder…: Heb. turn him away? 11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? 12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.11.12 vain: Heb. empty
13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; 14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. 15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: 16Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: 17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.11.17 be clearer…: Heb. arise above 18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. 19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.11.19 make suit…: Heb. intreat thy face 20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.11.20 they shall…: Heb. flight shall perish from them11.20 the giving…: or, a puff of breath
The First Speech of Zophar
1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied,
2“Don’t all your words require an answer?
I’m sure that what you are saying can’t be right.
3Your useless talk won’t keep us quiet.
Someone has to correct you when you make fun of truth.
4You say to God, ‘My beliefs are perfect.
I’m pure in your sight.’
5I wish God would speak.
I wish he’d answer you.
6I wish he’d show you the secrets of wisdom.
After all, true wisdom has two sides.
Here’s what I want you to know.
God has forgotten some of your sins.
7“Do you know how deep the mysteries of God are?
Can you discover the limits of the Mighty One’s knowledge?
8They are higher than the heavens above.
What can you do?
They are deeper than the deepest parts of the earth below.
What can you know?
9They are longer than the earth.
They are wider than the ocean.
10“Suppose God comes along and puts you in prison.
Suppose he takes you to court.
Then who can oppose him?
11He certainly knows when people tell lies.
When he sees evil, he pays careful attention to it.
12A wild donkey’s colt can’t be born a human being.
And it’s just as impossible that a person without sense can become wise.
13“So commit yourself to God completely.
Reach out your hands to him for help.
14Get rid of all the sin you have.
Don’t let anything that is evil stay in your tent.
15Then, free of those things, you can face others.
You can stand firm without being afraid.
16You can be sure you will forget your troubles.
They will be like water that has flowed on by.
17Life will be brighter than the sun at noon.
And darkness will become like morning.
18You will be secure, because there is hope.
You will look around you and find a safe place to rest.
19You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid.
Many people will want you to help them.
20But sinful people won’t find what they are looking for.
They won’t be able to escape.
All they can hope for is to die.”
