The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
1 Now it was the turn of Zophar from Naamath:
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Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
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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"Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
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 boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?
4 You claim, 'My doctrine is sound and my conduct impeccable.'
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For you say, 'My doctrine is pure, I am clean in your 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 against 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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That he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity 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 fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
8 God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend,
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They are high as 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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The measure of it 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 by, or confines, Or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
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 false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't 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 vain man can become wise If a man can be born as a wild donkey's colt.
13 "Still, if you set your heart on God and reach out to him,
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"If you set your heart aright, 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, Don't let unrighteousness 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 shall you lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:
16 You'll forget your troubles; they'll be like old, faded photographs.
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For you shall forget your misery; You shall remember it as waters that are passed away,
17 Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring.
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Life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there is darkness, it shall be as 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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You shall be secure, because there is hope; Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.
19 Expansive, without a care in the world, you'll be hunted out by many for your blessing.
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Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; Yes, many shall 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 shall fail, They shall have no way to flee; Their hope shall be the giving up of the spirit."