Job 11

Zophar's Counsel

1-6 How Wisdom Looks from the InsideNow it was the turn of Zophar from Naamath: "What a flood of words! Shouldn't we put a stop to it? Should this kind of loose talk be permitted? Job, do you think you can carry on like this and we'll say nothing? That we'll let you rail and mock and not step in? You claim, 'My doctrine is sound and my conduct impeccable.' How I wish God would give you a piece of his mind, tell you what's what! I wish he'd show you how wisdom looks from the inside, for true wisdom is mostly 'inside.' But you can be sure of this, you haven't gotten half of what you deserve.
7-12 "Do you think you can explain the mystery of God? Do you think you can diagram God Almighty? God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend, Stretching farther than earth's horizons, far wider than the endless ocean. If he happens along, throws you in jail then hauls you into court, can you do anything about it? He sees through vain pretensions, spots evil a long way off— no one pulls the wool over his eyes! Hollow men, hollow women, will wise up about the same time mules learn to talk.

Reach Out to God

13-20 "Still, if you set your heart on God and reach out to him, If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home, You'll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless. You'll forget your troubles; they'll be like old, faded photographs. Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring. Full of hope, you'll relax, confident again; you'll look around, sit back, and take it easy. Expansive, without a care in the world, you'll be hunted out by many for your blessing. But the wicked will see none of this. They're headed down a dead-end road with nothing to look forward to—nothing."

Job 11

1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

4 For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes.

5 But oh that God would speak, And open his lips against thee,

6 And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

7 Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

8 It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what canst thou know?

9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea.

10 If he pass through, and shut up, And all unto judgment, then who can hinder him?

11 For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not.

12 But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born as a wild ass’s colt.

13 If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;

14 If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents.

15 Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

16 For thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away,

17 And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.

18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Yea, thou shalt search about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.

19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; Yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, And they shall have no way to flee; And their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost.