New Revised Standard NRS
The Message Bible MSG
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:
1
Now it was the turn of Zophar from Naamath:
2 "Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and should one full of talk be vindicated?
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"What a flood of words! Shouldn't we put a stop to it? Should this kind of loose talk be permitted?
3 Should your babble put others to silence, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
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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?
4 For you say, "My conduct is pure, and I am clean in God's sight.'
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You claim, 'My doctrine is sound and my conduct impeccable.'
5 But O that God would speak, and open his lips to you,
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How I wish God would give you a piece of his mind, tell you what's what!
6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For wisdom is many-sided. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
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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 "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
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"Do you think you can explain the mystery of God? Do you think you can diagram God Almighty?
8 It is higher than heaven —what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
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God is far higher than you can imagine, far deeper than you can comprehend,
9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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Stretching farther than earth's horizons, far wider than the endless ocean.
10 If he passes through, and imprisons, and assembles for judgment, who can hinder him?
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If he happens along, throws you in jail then hauls you into court, can you do anything about it?
11 For he knows those who are worthless; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?
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He sees through vain pretensions, spots evil a long way off - no one pulls the wool over his eyes!
12 But a stupid person will get understanding, when a wild ass is born human.
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Hollow men, hollow women, will wise up about the same time mules learn to talk. Reach Out to God
13 "If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him.
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"Still, if you set your heart on God and reach out to him,
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and do not let wickedness reside in your tents.
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If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home,
15 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear.
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You'll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless.
16 You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
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You'll forget your troubles; they'll be like old, faded photographs.
17 And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.
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Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring.
18 And you will have confidence, because there is hope; you will be protected and take your rest in safety.
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Full of hope, you'll relax, confident again; you'll look around, sit back, and take it easy.
19 You will lie down, and no one will make you afraid; many will entreat your favor.
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Expansive, without a care in the world, you'll be hunted out by many for your blessing.
20 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."
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But the wicked will see none of this. They're headed down a dead-end road with nothing to look forward to - nothing."
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.