1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: 2 “Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated? 3 Should your babbling put others to silence? Will you scoff without rebuke? 4 You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’ 5 But if only God would speak and open His lips against you, 6 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 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. 10 If He comes along to imprison you, or convenes a court, who can stop Him? 11 Surely He knows the deceit of men. If He sees iniquity, does He not take note? 12 But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man! 13 As for you, if you direct your heart and lift up your hands to Him, 14 if you put away the iniquity in your hand, and allow no injustice to dwell in your tents, 15 then indeed you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and unafraid. 16 For you will forget your misery, recalling it only as waters gone by. 17 Your life will be brighter than noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. 18 You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety. 19 You will lie down without fear, and many will court your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; they will hope for their last breath.”
Job 11:1–20
Semantically similar passages
Job 8:5–7
5 But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy, 6 if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore your righteous estate. 7 Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish.
Job 22:12–14
12 Is not God as high as the heavens? Look at the highest stars, how lofty they are! 13 Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness? 14 Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’
Job 21:21–23
21 For what does he care about his household after him, when the number of his months has run out? 22 Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since He judges those on high? 23 One man dies full of vigor, completely secure and at ease.
Job 35:6–8
6 If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? If you multiply your transgressions, what do you do to Him? 7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand? 8 Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousn…
Job 34:11–13
11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. 12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. 13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole wo…
Job 31:13–15
13 If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me, 14 what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account? 15 Did not He who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same One form us…
2 Maccabees 7:18–20
18 After him they brought the sixth. When he was about to die, he said, “Don’t be vainly deceived, for we suffer these things for our own doings, as sinning against our own God. Astounding things have come to pass; (WEB) 19 but don’t think that you will be unpunished, hav… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 16:14–16
14 But though a man kills by his wickedness, he can’t retrieve the spirit that has departed or release the imprisoned soul. (WEB) 15 But it is not possible to escape your hand; (WEB) 16 for ungodly men, refusing to know you, were scourged in the strength of your arm, pursued with s… (WEB)
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