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Zophar Rebukes Job

(Ecclesiastes 1:1-11)

¹ Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:² “Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?³ Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?⁴ You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’⁵ But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,⁶ and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.

⁷ Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?⁸ They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?⁹ Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.¹⁰ If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?¹¹ Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?¹² But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man^(a)!

¹³ As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,¹⁴ if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,¹⁵ then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.¹⁶ For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.¹⁷ Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.¹⁸ You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.¹⁹ You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”