Study Desk

Zophar

Then Zophar the Naamathite^(a) replied:

"Are all these words to go unanswered?^(b) Is this talker to be vindicated?^(c)

Will your idle talk^(d) reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?^(e)

You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless^(f) and I am pure^(g) in your sight.'

Oh, how I wish that God would speak,^(h) that he would open his lips against you

and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,⁽ⁱ⁾ for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.^(j)

"Can you fathom^(k) the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

They are higher^(l) than the heavens^(m) above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below⁽ⁿ⁾—what can you know?^(o)

Their measure^(p) is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.^(q)

"If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?^(r)

Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?^(s)

But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt^(t) can be born human.^[a](u)

"Yet if you devote your heart^(v) to him and stretch out your hands^(w) to him,^(x)

if you put away^(y) the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil^(z) to dwell in your tent,^(aa)

then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;^(ab) you will stand firm^(ac) and without fear.^(ad)

You will surely forget your trouble,^(ae) recalling it only as waters gone by.^(af)

Life will be brighter than noonday,^(ag) and darkness will become like morning.^(ah)

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest^(ai) in safety.^(aj)

You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,^(ak) and many will court your favor.^(al)

But the eyes of the wicked will fail,^(am) and escape will elude them;^(an) their hope will become a dying gasp."^(ao)