BibleInTonguesWEB
Job 11
Zophar the Naamathite, the third and bluntest friend, finally speaks. He hears only "a multitude of words" in Job's protests and answers with sarcasm: should so much talk go unchallenged? His core move is to put Job in his place before a God whose wisdom is "high as heaven" and "deeper than Sheol." Watch how Zophar pivots from rebuke to recipe. After insisting Job deserves worse than he got (v.6), he sketches a tidy path back: set your heart right, stretch out your hands, put iniquity far away (v.13-14), and the rest will follow.
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Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered,
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“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?
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Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, will no man make you ashamed?
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For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.’
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But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,
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that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For true wisdom has two sides. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.
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“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
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They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know?
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Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
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If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him?
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For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
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An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey’s colt.
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“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
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If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.
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Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast, and will not fear,
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for you will forget your misery. You will remember it like waters that have passed away.
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Life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.
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You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
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Also you will lie down, and no one will make you afraid. Yes, many will court your favor.
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But the eyes of the wicked will fail. They will have no way to flee. Their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.”
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Então Zofar, o naamatita, respondeu:
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“Não se deve responder à multidão de palavras? Acaso um homem falador deve ser justificado?
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As suas jactâncias farão os homens se calarem? Quando você zomba, ninguém o envergonhará?
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Pois você diz: ‘Minha doutrina é pura. Eu sou limpo aos teus olhos.’
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Mas quem dera que Deus falasse, e abrisse os seus lábios contra você,
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que ele lhe mostrasse os segredos da sabedoria! Pois a verdadeira sabedoria tem dois lados. Saiba, portanto, que Deus exige de você menos do que a sua iniquidade merece.
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“Você pode sondar o mistério de Deus? Ou pode investigar os limites do Todo-Poderoso?
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São altos como os céus. O que você pode fazer? São mais profundos que o Seol. O que você pode saber?
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Sua medida é mais longa que a terra, e mais larga que o mar.
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Se ele passa, ou prende, ou convoca um tribunal, então quem pode se opor a ele?
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Pois ele conhece os homens falsos. Ele também vê a iniquidade, mesmo que não a considere.
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Um homem de cabeça vazia se torna sábio quando um homem nasce como a cria de um jumento selvagem.
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“Se você preparar o seu coração, estenda as suas mãos para ele.
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Se há iniquidade na sua mão, afaste-a para longe. Não deixe a injustiça habitar em suas tendas.
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Certamente então você levantará o seu rosto sem mancha. Sim, você estará firme, e não temerá,
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pois você se esquecerá da sua miséria. Você se lembrará dela como águas que já passaram.
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A vida será mais clara que o meio-dia. Ainda que haja trevas, elas serão como a manhã.
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Você estará seguro, porque há esperança. Sim, você olhará ao redor, e descansará em segurança.
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Você também se deitará, e ninguém o amedrontará. Sim, muitos buscarão o seu favor.
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Mas os olhos dos ímpios desfalecerão. Eles não terão como fugir. A esperança deles será o exalar do espírito.”
An unsearchable God, a very searchable verdict
Zophar's irony is that he praises God's limitless mystery in one breath, then claims to know exactly why Job suffers in the next. If no one can probe "the limits of the Almighty" (v.7), how is Zophar so sure of the diagnosis?
The closing contrast frames the whole speech: the repentant man will "lie down, and no one will make you afraid" (v.18-19), while "the eyes of the wicked will fail" (v.20). Restoration is offered, but only on Zophar's terms.
Context layers
Keep these closed by default and open them only when you want more context.
- HopeWhat biblical hope means, how it differs from optimism, and which passages show its shape most clearly.
- PeaceWhat peace means in the Bible, how it relates to reconciliation with God, and why it is more than calm feelings or conflict avoidance.
- RighteousnessWhat righteousness means in the Bible, how it relates to justice and right standing, and why it cannot be reduced to private morality.
- WisdomWhat wisdom means in the Bible, how it differs from cleverness, and where to begin reading it well.
- Lamentations 3:21-24Key passage connected to Hope.
- Romans 5:3-5Key passage connected to Hope.
- 1 Peter 1:3-5Key passage connected to Hope.
- Isaiah 9:6-7Key passage connected to Peace.
- Romans 5:1Key passage connected to Peace.
- Ephesians 2:14-18Key passage connected to Peace.
- Matthew 5:6Key passage connected to Righteousness.
- Romans 3:21-26Key passage connected to Righteousness.
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