Jó 11

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,

*Job 6:30‘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 theywould double your prudence.

Know therefore that *(Ezra 9:13)God exacts from you

Less than your iniquity deserves.

7 "Can*Job 33:12, 13; 36:26; (Eccl. 3:11; Rom. 11:33) you search out the deep things of God?

Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

8 Theyare 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*Job 9:12; (Rev. 3:7) He passes by, imprisons, and gathers tojudgment,

Then who can hinder Him?

11 For *(Ps. 10:14)He knows deceitful men;

He sees wickedness also.

Will He not then consider it?

12 For an *(Ps. 39:5); Rom. 1:22empty-headed man will be wise,

When a wild donkey’s colt is born a man.

13 "If you would *(1 Sam. 7:3)prepare your heart,

And *Ps. 88:9stretch out your hands toward Him;

14 If iniquity were in your hand, andyou put it far away,

And *Ps. 101:3would not let wickedness dwell in your tents;

15 *Job 22:26; Ps. 119:6; (1 John 3:21)Then surely you could lift up your face without spot;

Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear;

16 Because you would *Is. 65:16forget your misery,

And remember it as waters thathave passed away,

17 And your life *Ps. 37:6; Prov. 4:18; Is. 58:8, 10would 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 aroundyou, and*Lev. 26:5, 6; Ps. 3:5; Prov. 3:24take 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 *Lev. 26:16; Deut. 28:65; Job 17:5the eyes of the wicked will fail,

And they shall not escape,

And *Job 18:14; (Prov. 11:7)their hope—loss of life!"