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Zophar Speaks: Job’s Guilt Deserves Punishment

11Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
² ‘Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
   and should one full of talk be vindicated?
³ Should your babble put others to silence,
   and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
⁴ For you say, “My conduct^* is pure,
   and I am clean in God’s^* sight.”
⁵ But O that God would speak,
   and open his lips to you,
⁶ and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
   For wisdom is many-sided.^*
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

⁷ ‘Can you find out the deep things of God?
   Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?^*
8 It is higher than heaven^*—what can you do?
   Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
⁹ Its measure is longer than the earth,
   and broader than the sea.
¹⁰ If he passes through, and imprisons,
   and assembles for judgement, who can hinder him?
¹¹ For he knows those who are worthless;
   when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
¹² But a stupid person will get understanding,
   when a wild ass is born human.^*

¹³ ‘If you direct your heart rightly,
   you will stretch out your hands towards him.
¹⁴ If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
   and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.
¹⁵ Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
   you will be secure, and will not fear.
¹⁶ You will forget your misery;
   you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
¹⁷ And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
   its darkness will be like the morning.
¹⁸ And you will have confidence, because there is hope;
   you will be protected^* and take your rest in safety.
¹⁹ You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid;
   many will entreat your favour.
²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked will fail;
   all way of escape will be lost to them,
   and their hope is to breathe their last.’