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)

Job

Then Job replied:

"Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!^(a)

But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?^(b)

"I have become a laughingstock^(c) to my friends,^(d) though I called on God and he answered^(e)— a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!^(f)

Those who are at ease have contempt^(g) for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.^(h)

The tents of marauders are undisturbed,⁽ⁱ⁾ and those who provoke God are secure^(j)— those God has in his hand.^[a]

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you,^(k) or the birds in the sky,^(l) and they will tell you;^(m)

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know⁽ⁿ⁾ that the hand of the Lord has done this?^(o)

In his hand is the life^(p) of every creature and the breath of all mankind.^(q)

Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?^(r)

Is not wisdom found among the aged?^(s) Does not long life bring understanding?^(t)

"To God belong wisdom^(u) and power;^(v) counsel and understanding are his.^(w)

What he tears down^(x) cannot be rebuilt;^(y) those he imprisons cannot be released.^(z)

If he holds back the waters,^(aa) there is drought;^(ab) if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(ac)

To him belong strength and insight;^(ad) both deceived and deceiver are his.^(ae)

He leads rulers away stripped^(af) and makes fools of judges.^(ag)

He takes off the shackles^(ah) put on by kings and ties a loincloth^[b] around their waist.^(ai)

He leads priests away stripped^(aj) and overthrows officials long established.^(ak)

He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders.^(al)

He pours contempt on nobles^(am) and disarms the mighty.^(an)

He reveals the deep things of darkness^(ao) and brings utter darkness^(ap) into the light.^(aq)

He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(ar) he enlarges nations,^(as) and disperses them.^(at)

He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(au) he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(av)

They grope in darkness with no light;^(aw) he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(ax)