Zophar Rebukes Job 1 Brenton Then Sophar the Minæan answered and said, BSB BSB: Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2 Brenton He that speaks much, should also hear on the other side: or does the fluent speaker think himself to be righteous? blessed is the short-lived offspring of woman. BSB BSB: “Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?
3 Brenton Be not a speaker of many words; for is there none to answer thee? BSB BSB: Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke?
4 Brenton For say not, I am pure in my works, and blameless before him. BSB BSB: You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’
5 Brenton But oh that the Lord would speak to thee, and open his lips with thee! BSB BSB: But if only God would speak and open His lips against you,
6 Brenton Then shall he declare to thee the power of wisdom; for it shall be double of that which is with thee: and then shalt thou know, that a just recompence of thy sins has come to thee from the Lord. BSB BSB: 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.
7 Brenton Wilt thou find out the traces of the Lord? or hast thou come to the end of that which the Almighty has made? BSB BSB: Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
8 Brenton Heaven is high; and what wilt thou do? and there are deeper things than those in hell; what dost thou know? BSB BSB: They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
9 Brenton Or longer than the measure of the earth, or the breadth of the sea. BSB BSB: Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
10 Brenton And if he should overthrow all things, who will say to him, What hast thou done? BSB BSB: If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him?
11 Brenton For he knows the works of transgressors; and when he sees wickedness, he will not overlook it . BSB BSB: Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note?
12 Brenton But man vainly buoys himself up with words; and a mortal born of woman is like an ass of the desert. BSB BSB: But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!
13 Brenton For if thou hast made thine heart pure, and liftest up thine hands towards him; BSB BSB: As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him,
14 Brenton if there is any iniquity in thy hands, put it far from thee, and let not unrighteousness lodge in thy habitation. BSB BSB: if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents,
15 Brenton For thus shall thy countenance shine again, as pure water; and thou shalt divest thyself of uncleanness, and shalt not fear. BSB BSB: then indeed you will lift up your face without blemish; you will stand firm and unafraid.
16 Brenton And thou shalt forget trouble, as a wave that has passed by; and thou shalt not be scared. BSB BSB: For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by.
17 Brenton And thy prayer shall be as the morning star, and life shall arise to thee as from the noon-day. BSB BSB: Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
18 Brenton And thou shalt be confident, because thou hast hope; and peace shall dawn to thee from out of anxiety and care. BSB BSB: You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.
19 Brenton For thou shalt be at ease, and there shall be no one to fight against thee; and many shall charge, and make supplication to thee. BSB BSB: You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor.
20 Brenton But safety shall fail them; for their hope is destruction, and the eyes of the ungodly shall waste away. BSB BSB: But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.