Zophar Speaks
1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
and such a talker11:2 Lit a man of lips be acquitted?
3Should your babbling put others to silence,
so that you can keep on ridiculing
with no one to humiliate you?
and I am pure in your sight.”
5But if only God would speak
and open his lips against you!
for true wisdom has two sides.
7Can you fathom the depths of God
8They are higher than the heavens — what can you do?
They are deeper than Sheol — what can you know?11:8 Dt 30:12–13; Ps 139:8–9; Am 9:2–3
9Their measure is longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.
10If he passes by and throws someone in prison
11Surely he knows which people are worthless.
12But a stupid person will gain understanding
as soon as a wild donkey is born a human!
13As for you, if you redirect your heart
and spread out your hands to him in prayer —
14if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it,
and don’t allow injustice to dwell in your tents —
15then you will hold your head high, free from fault.
16For you will forget your suffering,
recalling it only as water that has flowed by.
17Your life will be brighter than noonday;
its darkness11:17 Text emended; MT reads noonday; you are dark, you will be like the morning.11:17 Jb 17:12; Ps 37:6; Is 58:8,10
18You will be confident, because there is hope.11:18 Jb 4:6; Ps 119:116; Jr 17:7
19You will lie down with no one to frighten you,
Their way of escape will be cut off,
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
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