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)