The First Speech of Zophar
1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied,
2 “Don’t all your words require an answer?
I’m sure that what you are saying can’t be right.
3 Your useless talk won’t keep us quiet.
Someone has to correct you when you make fun of truth.
4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are perfect.
I’m pure in your sight.’
5 I wish God would speak.
I wish he’d answer you.
6 I wish he’d show you the secrets of wisdom.
After all, true wisdom has two sides.
Here’s what I want you to know.
God has forgotten some of your sins.
7 “Do you know how deep the mysteries of God are?
Can you discover the limits of the Mighty One’s knowledge?
8 They are higher than the heavens above.
What can you do?
They are deeper than the deepest parts of the earth below.
What can you know?
9 They are longer than the earth.
They are wider than the ocean.
10 “Suppose God comes along and puts you in prison.
Suppose he takes you to court.
Then who can oppose him?
11 He certainly knows when people tell lies.
When he sees evil, he pays careful attention to it.
12 A wild donkey’s colt can’t be born a human being.
And it’s just as impossible that a person without sense can become wise.
13 “So commit yourself to God completely.
Reach out your hands to him for help.
14 Get rid of all the sin you have.
Don’t let anything that is evil stay in your tent.
15 Then, free of those things, you can face others.
You can stand firm without being afraid.
16 You can be sure you will forget your troubles.
They will be like water that has flowed on by.
17 Life will be brighter than the sun at noon.
And darkness will become like morning.
18 You will be secure, because there is hope.
You will look around you and find a safe place to rest.
19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid.
Many people will want you to help them.
20 But sinful people won’t find what they are looking for.
They won’t be able to escape.
All they can hope for is to die.”