The Word Am I

The Book of Job

⭑ Berean Study Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 11 -

Zophar urges Job to repent

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Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?
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Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?
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You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’
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But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,
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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.
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Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
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They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
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Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
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If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?
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Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
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But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!(a)
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As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,
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if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,
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then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid.
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For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.
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Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
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You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.
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You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.
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But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”

Footnotes

(a)11:12 Or can be born tame

Zophar urges Job to repent

1
Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
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“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
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Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
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For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
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But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
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that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
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“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol.(a) What can you know?
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Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
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For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
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An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
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“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
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If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
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Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
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for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
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Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
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You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
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Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.
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But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”

Footnotes

(a)11:8 Sheol is the place of the dead.
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