• Zophar Urges Job to Repent

  • 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
  • 2 “Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be vindicated?
  • 3 Should your empty talk make men hold their peace? And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?
  • 4 For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in your eyes.’
  • 5 But oh, that God would speak, And open His lips against you,
  • 6 That He would show you the secrets of wisdom! For they would double your prudence. Know therefore that God exacts from you Less than your iniquity deserves.
  • 7 “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
  • 8 They are higher than heaven— what can you do? Deeper than Sheol— what can you know?
  • 9 Their measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.
  • 10 “If He passes by, imprisons, and gathers to judgment, Then who can hinder Him?
  • 11 For He knows deceitful men; He sees wickedness also. Will He not then consider it?
  • 12 For an empty-headed man will be wise, When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.
  • 13 “If you would prepare your heart, And stretch out your hands toward Him;
  • 14 If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, And would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;
  • 15 Then surely you could lift up your face without spot; Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;
  • 16 Because you would forget your misery, And remember it as waters that have passed away,
  • 17 And your life would be brighter than noonday. Though you were dark, you would be like the morning.
  • 18 And you would be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you would dig around you, and take your rest in safety.
  • 19 You would also lie down, and no one would make you afraid; Yes, many would court your favor.
  • 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope—loss of life!”