The Book of Job

And Zophar the Naamathite answers and says:

“Is a multitude of words not answered? And is a man of lips justified?

Your boastings make men keep silent, || You scorn, and none is causing blushing!

And you say, My discourse [is] pure, || And I have been clean in Your eyes.

And yet, O that God had spoken! And opens His lips with you.

And declares to you secrets of wisdom, for counsel has foldings. And know that God forgets of your iniquity for you.

Do you find out God by searching? To perfection find out the Mighty One?

Heights of the heavens—what [can] you do? Deeper than Sheol—what [can] you know?

Its measure [is] longer than earth, and broader than the sea.

If He passes on, and shuts up, and assembles, || Who then reverses it?

For He has known men of vanity, || And He sees iniquity, || And one does not consider [it]!

And empty man is bold, || And man is born [as] the colt of a wild donkey.

If you have prepared your heart, || And have spread out your hands to Him,

If iniquity [is] in your hand, put it far off, || And do not let perverseness dwell in your tents.

For then you lift up your face from blemish, || And you have been firm, and do not fear.

For you forget misery, || As waters passed away you remember.

And age rises above the noon, || You fly—you are as the morning.

And you have trusted because there is hope, || And searched—in confidence you lie down,

And you have rested, || And none is causing trembling, || And many have begged [at] your face;

And the eyes of the wicked are consumed, || And refuge has perished from them, || And their hope [is] a breathing out of soul!”

Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol.(a) What can you know?

Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.

“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.

If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,

for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.

Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.

You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.

Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.

But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”

(a)11:8 Sheol is the place of the dead.