Zophar’s First Speech to Job59

11:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke up and said:

11:2 “Should not this1 abundance of words be answered,2

or should this3 talkative man4

be vindicated?5

11:3 Will your idle talk6 reduce people to silence,7

and will no one rebuke8 you when you mock?9

11:4 For you have said, ‘My teaching10 is flawless,

and I am pure in your sight.’

11:5 But if only God would speak,11

if only he would open his lips against you,12

11:6 and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom—

for true wisdom has two sides13—

so that you would know14

that God has forgiven some of your sins.15

11:7 “Can you discover16 the essence17 of God?

Can you find out18

the perfection of the Almighty?19

11:8 It is higher20 than the heavens—what can you do?

It is deeper than Sheol21—what can you know?

11:9 Its measure is longer than the earth,

and broader than the sea.

11:10 If he comes by22 and confines23 you24

and convenes a court,25

then who can prevent26 him?

11:11 For he27 knows deceitful28 men;

when he sees evil, will he not29 consider it?30

11:12 But an empty man will become wise,

when a wild donkey’s colt is born a human being.31

11:13 “As for you,32 if you prove faithful,33

and if34 you stretch out your hands toward him,35

11:14 if36 iniquity is in your hand—put it far away,37

and do not let evil reside in your tents.

11:15 For38 then you will lift up your face

without39 blemish;40

you will be securely established41

and will not fear.

11:16 For you42 will forget your trouble;43

you will remember it

like water that44 has flowed away.

11:17 And life45 will be brighter46 than the noonday;

though there be darkness,47

it will be like the morning.

11:18 And you will be secure, because there is hope;

you will be protected48

and will take your rest in safety.

11:19 You will lie down with49 no one to make you afraid,

and many will seek your favor.50

11:20 But the eyes of the wicked fail,51

and escape52 eludes them;

their one hope53 is to breathe their last.”54