Study Desk

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

Should this stream of words^(a) go unanswered and such a talker^[a] be acquitted?

Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you?

You have said, "My teaching^(b) is sound, and I am pure in Your sight."

But if only God would speak and declare His case^[b] against you,

He would show you the secrets of wisdom,^(c) for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your sin.^(d)

Can you fathom the depths of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?^(e)

They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?^(f)

Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

If He passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop Him?^(g)

Surely He knows which people are worthless. If He sees iniquity, will He not take note of it?^(h)

But a stupid man will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a man!

As for you, if you redirect your heart and lift up your hands to Him in prayer—

if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents—

then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid.⁽ⁱ⁾

For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as waters that have flowed by.

Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness^[c] will be like the morning.^(j)

You will be confident, because there is hope.^(k) You will look carefully about and lie down in safety.^(l)

You will lie down without fear, and many will seek your favor.^(m)

But the sight of the wicked⁽ⁿ⁾ will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their only hope is their last breath.^(o)

Then Job answered:

No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!

But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who doesn't know the things you are talking about?^[a](a)

I am a laughingstock to my^[b] friends, by calling on God, who answers me.^[c] The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.^(b)

The one who is at ease^(c) holds calamity in contempt and thinks it is prepared for those whose feet are slipping.

The tents of robbers are safe,^(d) and those who provoke God are secure; God's power provides this.^[d](e)

But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.^(f)

Or speak to the earth, and it will instruct you; let the fish of the sea inform you.

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

The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.^(h)

Doesn't the ear test words as the palate tastes food?

Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.⁽ⁱ⁾

Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His.^(j)

Whatever He tears down cannot be rebuilt; whoever He imprisons cannot be released.^(k)

When He withholds the waters, everything dries up, and when He releases them, they destroy the land.^(l)

True wisdom and power belong to Him. The deceived and the deceiver are His.

He leads counselors away barefoot and makes judges go mad.^(m)

He releases the bonds^[e] put on by kings⁽ⁿ⁾ and fastens a belt around their waists.

He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows established leaders.^(o)

He deprives trusted advisers of speech and takes away the elders' good judgment.

He pours out contempt on nobles and disarms^[f] the strong.

He reveals mysteries from the darkness and brings the deepest darkness into the light.^(p)

He makes nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges nations,^(q) then leads them away.

He deprives the world's leaders of reason, and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.^(r)

They grope around in darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunken men.^(s)

Look, my eyes have seen all this; my ears^(a) have heard and understood it.

Everything you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.^(b)

Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.^(c)

But you coat the truth with lies; you are all worthless doctors.^(d)

If only you would shut up and let that be your wisdom!

Hear now my argument, and listen to my defense.^[a]

Would you testify unjustly on God's behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?

Would you show partiality^(e) to Him or argue the case in His defense?

Would it go well if He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?^(f)

Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.

Would God's majesty not terrify you?^(g) Would His dread not fall on you?

Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash;^(h) your defenses are made of clay.

Be quiet,^[b] and I will speak. Let whatever comes happen to me.

Why do I put myself at risk^[c] and take my life in my own hands?

Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him.^[d] I will still defend⁽ⁱ⁾ my ways before Him.

Yes, this will result in my deliverance, for no godless person^(j) can appear before Him.

Pay close attention to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.

Now then, I have prepared my case;^(k) I know that I am right.

Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.

Only grant these two things to me, God, so that I will not have to hide from Your presence:

remove Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.^(l)

Then call, and I will answer,^(m) or I will speak, and You can respond to me.

How many iniquities⁽ⁿ⁾ and sins have I committed?^[e] Reveal to me my transgression and sin.

Why do You hide Your face and consider me Your enemy?^(o)

Will You frighten a wind-driven leaf? Will You chase after dry straw?

For You record bitter accusations against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths, setting a limit for the soles^[f] of my feet.

Man wears out like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.^(p)