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JOB 12
page 459
Zophar’s First Response to Job
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to
Job:
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“Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent
of words?
Is a person proved innocent just by a lot
of talking?
Should I remain silent while you babble on?
When you mock God, shouldn’t someone
make you ashamed?
You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’
and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’
If only God would speak;
if only he would tell you what he thinks!
If only he would tell you the secrets of
wisdom,
for true wisdom is not a simple matter.
Listen! God is doubtless punishing you
far less than you deserve!
“Can you solve the mysteries of God?
Can you discover everything about the
Almighty?
Such knowledge is higher than the heavens—
and who are you?
It is deeper than the underworld*—
what do you know?
It is broader than the earth
and wider than the sea.
If God comes and puts a person in prison
or calls the court to order, who can
stop him?
For he knows those who are false,
and he takes note of all their sins.
An empty-headed person won’t become wise
any more than a wild donkey can bear a
human child.*
“If only you would prepare your heart
and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
Get rid of your sins,
and leave all iniquity behind you.
Then your face will brighten with
innocence.
You will be strong and free of fear.
You will forget your misery;
it will be like water flowing away.
Your life will be brighter than the noonday.
Even darkness will be as bright as
morning.
Having hope will give you courage.
You will be protected and will rest
in safety.
You will lie down unafraid,
and many will look to you for help.
But the wicked will be blinded.
They will have no escape.
Their only hope is death.”
11:8 Hebrew than Sheol. 11:12 Or than a wild male donkey
can bear a tame colt. 12:6 Or safety—those who try to
manipulate God. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
12:9 Hebrew that this.
Job’s Fourth Speech: A Response
to Zophar
Then Job spoke again:
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2 “You
people really know everything,
don’t you?
And when you die, wisdom will die
with you!
Well, I know a few things myself—
and you’re no better than I am.
Who doesn’t know these things you’ve
been saying?
Yet my friends laugh at me,
for I call on God and expect an answer.
I am a just and blameless man,
yet they laugh at me.
People who are at ease mock those in
trouble.
They give a push to people who are
stumbling.
But robbers are left in peace,
and those who provoke God live in
safety—
though God keeps them in his power.*
“Just ask the animals, and they will teach
you.
Ask the birds of the sky, and they will
tell you.
Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you.
Let the fish in the sea speak to you.
For they all know
that my disaster* has come from the hand
of the Lord.
For the life of every living thing is in his
hand,
and the breath of every human being.
The ear tests the words it hears
just as the mouth distinguishes between
foods.
Wisdom belongs to the aged,
and understanding to the old.
“But true wisdom and power are found
in God;
counsel and understanding are his.
What he destroys cannot be rebuilt.
When he puts someone in prison, there is
no escape.
If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes
a desert.
If he releases the waters, they flood
the earth.
Yes, strength and wisdom are his;
deceivers and deceived are both in
his power.
He leads counselors away, stripped of
good judgment;
wise judges become fools.
He removes the royal robe of kings.
They are led away with ropes around
their waist.