Zophar Speaks: You Deserve Worse

1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

2“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,

and a man full of talk be judged right?

3Should your babble silence men,

and when you mock, shall no one shame you?

4For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,

and I am clean in God's11:4 Hebrew your eyes.’

5But oh, that God would speak

and open his lips to you,

6and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!

For he is manifold in understanding.11:6 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

7“Can you find out the deep things of God?

Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?

8It is higher than heaven11:8 Hebrew The heights of heaven —what can you do?

Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

9Its measure is longer than the earth

and broader than the sea.

10If he passes through and imprisons

and summons the court, who can turn him back?

11For he knows worthless men;

when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

12But a stupid man will get understanding

when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!

13“If you prepare your heart,

you will stretch out your hands towards him.

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

and let not injustice dwell in your tents.

15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;

you will be secure and will not fear.

16You will forget your misery;

you will remember it as waters that have passed away.

17And your life will be brighter than the noonday;

its darkness will be like the morning.

18And you will feel secure, because there is hope;

you will look around and take your rest in security.

19You will lie down, and none will make you afraid;

many will court your favour.

20But the eyes of the wicked will fail;

all way of escape will be lost to them,

and their hope is to breathe their last.”