Zophar Answers
11 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: 2 "Should this flood of words go unanswered? Should a man so full of talk be proven right? 3 Should your empty talk silence others? Will you mock with no one to put you to shame? 4 For you say, 'My teaching is pure, and I am clean in your sight.' 5 But oh, if only God would speak and open his lips against you, 6 and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom — for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God has charged you less than your guilt deserves. 7 Can you fathom the deep things of God? Can you find the limit of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than the heavens — what can you do? Deeper than the grave — what can you know? a a v8 Sheol is the Hebrew realm of the dead, pictured as a dark place deep beneath the earth. 9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. 10 If he passes through and imprisons and summons to judgment, who can turn him back? 11 For he knows worthless people; when he sees wrongdoing, will he not take note of it? 12 But an empty-headed person will become wise when a wild donkey's colt is born human. 13 If you prepare your heart and stretch out your hands to him, 14 if sin is in your hand, get rid of it, and let no injustice dwell in your tents, 15 then surely you will lift up your face, free from shame; you will stand firm and not be afraid. 16 You will forget your misery, remembering it like waters that have flowed away. 17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. 18 You will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and lie down in safety. 19 You will lie down with no one to make you afraid, and many will seek your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail; every escape will be lost to them, and their only hope is to breathe their last."