Zophar Rebukes Job

(Ecclesiastes 1:1-11)

1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

2“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?

3Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?

4You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’

5But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,

6and 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.

7Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?

8They are higher than the heavens— what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol— what can you know?

9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

10If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?

11Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?

12But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!

13As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,

14if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,

15then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.

16For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.

17Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.

18You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.

19You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.

20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”