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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 Rebukes Job

11 Then Zophar the Naamathite responded,

“Shall a multitude of words go unanswered,
And a (A)talkative man be acquitted?
Shall your boasts silence people?
And will you (B)scoff, and no one rebuke?
For (C)you have said, ‘My teaching is pure,
And (D)I am innocent in your eyes.’
But if only God would speak,
And open His lips against you,
And show you the secrets of wisdom!
For sound wisdom [a](E)has two sides.
Know then that God [b]forgets part of (F)your guilt.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 11:6 Lit is double
  2. Job 11:6 Lit causes to be forgotten for you