Zophar Rebukes Job

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite 1answered,

2 “Shall a multitude of words go unanswered,

And a atalkative man be acquitted?

3 “Shall your boasts silence men?

And shall you ascoff and none rebuke?

4 “For ayou have said, ‘My teaching is pure,

And bI am innocent in your eyes.’

5 “But would that God might speak,

And open His lips against you,

6 And show you the secrets of wisdom!

For sound wisdom 1ahas two sides.

Know then that God 2forgets a part of byour iniquity.

7 “aCan you discover the depths of God?

Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?

8 “They are ahigh as 1the heavens, what can you do?

Deeper than 2bSheol, what can you know?

9 “Its measure is longer than the earth

And broader than the sea.

10 “If He passes by or shuts up,

Or calls an assembly, awho can restrain Him?

11 “For aHe knows false men,

And He bsees iniquity 1without investigating.

12 “1aAn idiot will become intelligent

When the 2foal of a bwild donkey is born a man.

13 “aIf you would bdirect your heart right

And cspread out your hand to Him,

14 If iniquity is in your hand, aput it far away,

And do not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

15 “Then, indeed, you could alift up your face without moral defect,

And you would be steadfast and bnot fear.

16 “For you would aforget your trouble,

As bwaters that have passed by, you would remember it.

17 “Your 1life would be 2abrighter than noonday;

Darkness would be like the morning.

18 “Then you would trust, because there is hope;

And you would look around and rest securely.

19 “You would alie down and none would disturb you,

And many would bentreat your 1favor.

20 “But the aeyes of the wicked will fail,

And 1there will bbe no escape for them;

And their chope is 2dto breathe their last.”