Zophar’s first speech
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📚✭Then answered Zophar the Naamathite and said, 2 📚“Should not so many words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified?
3 📚Should your empty words make men keep silent? And when you mock, should no man make you ashamed?
4 📚✭For you have said, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.’
5 📚✭But oh, that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
6 📚✭And show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double what seems to be! Know therefore that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.
7 📚✭“Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
8 📚They are as high as heaven; what can you do? Deeper than hell✭; what can you know?
9 📚Their measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 📚“If he cuts off, or shuts up, or gathers together, then who can hinder him?
11 📚For he knows vain men. He also sees wickedness. Will he not then consider it?
12 📚✭For an idiot can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born a man!
13 📚✭✭“If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him,
14 📚Putting iniquity far away, if it is in your hand, and not letting wickedness dwell in your tents,
15 📚Then you would be able to lift up your face without spot; yes, you would be steadfast, and not fear,
16 📚Because you would forget your misery, and remember it like waters that pass away.
17 📚And your life would be brighter than noonday; you would shine forth like the morning.
18 📚And you would be secure, because there is hope; yes, you would look around and you would rest securely.
19 📚Also you would lie down, without anyone making you afraid. Yes, many would beg your favour.
20 📚✭But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and they will not escape, and their hope will be like giving up one’s last breath”.