Zophar

1-2Will no one answer all this nonsense?

Does talking so much put you in the right?

3Job, do you think we can't answer you?

That your mocking words will leave us speechless?

4You claim that what you say is true;

you claim you are pure in the sight of God.

5How I wish God would answer you!

6He would tell you there are many sides to wisdom;

there are things too deep for human knowledge.

God is punishing you less than you deserve.

7Can you discover the limits and bounds

of the greatness and power of God?

8The sky is no limit for God,

but it lies beyond your reach.

God knows the world of the dead,

but you do not know it.

9God's greatness is broader than the earth,

wider than the sea.

10If God arrests you and brings you to trial,

who is there to stop him?

11God knows which people are worthless;

he sees all their evil deeds.

12Stupid people will start being wise

when wild donkeys are born tame.

13Put your heart right, Job. Reach out to God.

14Put away evil and wrong from your home.

15Then face the world again, firm and courageous.

16Then all your troubles will fade from your memory,

like floods that are past and remembered no more.

17Your life will be brighter than sunshine at noon,

and life's darkest hours will shine like the dawn.

18You will live secure and full of hope;

God will protect you and give you rest.

19You won't be afraid of your enemies;

many people will ask you for help.

20But the wicked will look round in despair

and find that there is no way to escape.

Their one hope is that death will come.