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Zophar Speaks: Job’s Guilt Deserves Punishment

11 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:

“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
    and should one full of talk be vindicated?(A)
Should your babble put others to silence,
    and when you mock, shall no one shame you?(B)
For you say, ‘My conduct[a] is pure,
    and I am clean in God’s[b] sight.’(C)
But O that God would speak
    and open his lips to you
and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
    For wisdom is many-sided.[c]
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 11.4 Gk: Heb teaching
  2. 11.4 Heb your
  3. 11.6 Meaning of Heb uncertain

Zophar Speaks: Job’s Guilt Deserves Punishment

11 Then Zophar the Na′amathite answered:

“Should a multitude of words go unanswered,
    and a man full of talk be vindicated?
Should your babble silence men,
    and when you mock, shall no one shame you?
For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
    and I am clean in God’s eyes.’
But oh, that God would speak,
    and open his lips to you,
and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
    For he is manifold in understanding.[a]
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 11:6 Heb obscure

Zophar

11 Then Zophar the Naamathite(A) replied:

“Are all these words to go unanswered?(B)
    Is this talker to be vindicated?(C)
Will your idle talk(D) reduce others to silence?
    Will no one rebuke you when you mock?(E)
You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless(F)
    and I am pure(G) in your sight.’
Oh, how I wish that God would speak,(H)
    that he would open his lips against you
and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,(I)
    for true wisdom has two sides.
    Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.(J)

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