The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 Now it was the turn of Zophar from Naamath:
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Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 "What a flood of words! Shouldn't we put a stop to it? Should this kind of loose talk be permitted?
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“Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right?
3 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?
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Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
4 You claim, 'My doctrine is sound and my conduct impeccable.'
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For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God’s eyes. ’
5 How I wish God would give you a piece of his mind, tell you what's what!
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But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you,
6 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.
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and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
7 "Do you think you can explain the mystery of God? Do you think you can diagram God Almighty?
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“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
8 God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend,
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It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
9 Stretching farther than earth's horizons, far wider than the endless ocean.
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Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.
10 If he happens along, throws you in jail then hauls you into court, can you do anything about it?
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If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back?
11 He sees through vain pretensions, spots evil a long way off - no one pulls the wool over his eyes!
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For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
12 Hollow men, hollow women, will wise up about the same time mules learn to talk. Reach Out to God
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But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!
13 "Still, if you set your heart on God and reach out to him,
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“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him.
14 If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home,
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If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
15 You'll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless.
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Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear.
16 You'll forget your troubles; they'll be like old, faded photographs.
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You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
17 Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring.
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And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
18 Full of hope, you'll relax, confident again; you'll look around, sit back, and take it easy.
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And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.
19 Expansive, without a care in the world, you'll be hunted out by many for your blessing.
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You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor.
20 But the wicked will see none of this. They're headed down a dead-end road with nothing to look forward to - nothing."
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But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last. ”
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025