Zophar's first speech

So much foolish talk

1Zophar from Naamah11.1 Naamah: See the note at 2.11. said:

2So much foolish talk

cannot go unanswered.

3Your words have silenced others

and made them ashamed;

now it is only right for you

to be put to shame.

4You claim to be innocent

and argue that your beliefs

are acceptable to God.

5But I wish he would speak

6and let you know that wisdom

has many different sides.

You would then discover

that God has punished you

less than you deserve.

7Can you understand the mysteries

surrounding God All-Powerful?

8They are higher than the heavens

and deeper than the grave.

So what can you do

when you know so little,

9and these mysteries outreach

the earth and the sea?

10If God puts you in prison

or drags you to court,

what can you do?

11God has the wisdom to know

when someone is worthless

and sinful,

12but it's easier to tame

a wild donkey

than to make a fool wise.11.12 it's…wise: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

Surrender your heart to God

13Surrender your heart to God,

turn to him in prayer,

14and give up your sins—

even those you do in secret.

15Then you won't be ashamed;

you will be confident

and fearless.

16Your troubles will go away

like water beneath a bridge,

17and your darkest night

will be brighter than midday.

18You will rest safe and secure,

filled with hope

and emptied of worry.

19You will sleep without fear

and be greatly respected.

20But those who are evil

will go blind and lose their way.

Their only escape is death!