Zophar urges Job to repent
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Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?
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Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?
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You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’
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But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,
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and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.
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Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
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They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
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Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?
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Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
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But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!(a)
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As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,
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if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,
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then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.
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For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
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You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.
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You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.
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But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”
Footnotes