1.8 KiB
Zophar Speaks
Chapter 11
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Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
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Should this abundance of words go unanswered and such a talker be acquitted?
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Should your babbling put others to silence, so that you can keep on ridiculing with no one to humiliate you?
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You have said, "My teaching 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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He would show you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your iniquity.
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Can you fathom the depths 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 passes by and throws someone in prison or convenes a court, who can stop him?
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Surely he knows which people are worthless. If he sees iniquity, will he not take note of it?
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But a stupid person will gain understanding as soon as a wild donkey is born a human!
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As for you, if you redirect your heart and spread out your hands to him in prayer--
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if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it, and don't allow injustice to dwell in your tents--
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then you will hold your head high, free from fault. You will be firmly established and unafraid.
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For you will forget your suffering, recalling it only as water that has flowed 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 confident, because there is hope. You will look carefully about and lie down in safety.
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You will lie down with no one to frighten you, and many will seek your favor.
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But the sight of the wicked will fail. Their way of escape will be cut off, and their only hope is their last breath.