Job 11
Zophar's First Response to Job
or
More Grace than Deserved
based on Job 11
God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve
Job 11:6
Job 11:6
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied to Job:
If the stream from your mouth went unanswered, we'd drown!
Do you think that your volume of words makes you right?
Should your babbling cause men to sit by without sound,
and your mocking persist without even a fight?
You have said, My beliefs are as pure as the snow,
and I'm blameless and clean before God's holy eyes.
But if only God opened his mouth would we know,
for his lips would declare what are truths, what are lies.
And he'd lay out his secrets of wisdom for you
in a straightforward fashion that you'd understand.
In his wisdom so manifold, perfect and true
you've been punished far less than your sin would demand!
Can you fathom the sheer depth of God in your mind?
Or discover the limits and bounds of Shaddai?
They are high — so much higher than heaven, you'll find.
They are deep — so much deeper than Sheol, they lie.
They are long — so much longer than earth can attest.
They are broad — so much broader than ocean or sea.
If a court was convened and God came to arrest
you, then who could restrain him? Not you, and not me!
For he knows the most worthless deceitful of men,
and he notes every sin, evil deed and revolt.
And the fool can no more be intelligent than
any child can be born as a wild donkey's colt.
As for you, if you'd only surrender your heart
and you'd stretch out your hands in a prayer of assent;
let your sinful intentions and evil depart
and allow no injustice to dwell in your tent.
Surely then you will brighten and lift up your face
without blemish and shame you will stand without fear.
And, forgetting your troubles — they'll all be erased,
unremembered as waters that soon disappear.
And your life will be brighter than noon every day;
even darkness will seem like the morning to you.
Gaining courage from hope in a confident way,
you will rest in security you never knew.
You will lie down at night and you won't be afraid;
you'll be sought out by others for counsel and aid.
For the wicked despair — no escape to be made;
with their last breath of air comes the last prayer they prayed.
Do you think that your volume of words makes you right?
Should your babbling cause men to sit by without sound,
and your mocking persist without even a fight?
You have said, My beliefs are as pure as the snow,
and I'm blameless and clean before God's holy eyes.
But if only God opened his mouth would we know,
for his lips would declare what are truths, what are lies.
And he'd lay out his secrets of wisdom for you
in a straightforward fashion that you'd understand.
In his wisdom so manifold, perfect and true
you've been punished far less than your sin would demand!
Can you fathom the sheer depth of God in your mind?
Or discover the limits and bounds of Shaddai?
They are high — so much higher than heaven, you'll find.
They are deep — so much deeper than Sheol, they lie.
They are long — so much longer than earth can attest.
They are broad — so much broader than ocean or sea.
If a court was convened and God came to arrest
you, then who could restrain him? Not you, and not me!
For he knows the most worthless deceitful of men,
and he notes every sin, evil deed and revolt.
And the fool can no more be intelligent than
any child can be born as a wild donkey's colt.
As for you, if you'd only surrender your heart
and you'd stretch out your hands in a prayer of assent;
let your sinful intentions and evil depart
and allow no injustice to dwell in your tent.
Surely then you will brighten and lift up your face
without blemish and shame you will stand without fear.
And, forgetting your troubles — they'll all be erased,
unremembered as waters that soon disappear.
And your life will be brighter than noon every day;
even darkness will seem like the morning to you.
Gaining courage from hope in a confident way,
you will rest in security you never knew.
You will lie down at night and you won't be afraid;
you'll be sought out by others for counsel and aid.
For the wicked despair — no escape to be made;
with their last breath of air comes the last prayer they prayed.
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