[1] Then Zophar from Naamah answered Job and said,
[2] “This flood of words should be answered! Does all this talking make Job right? No!
[3] Job, do you think we don’t have an answer for you? Do you think no one will warn you when you laugh at God?
[4] Job, you say to God, 'My arguments are right, and you can see I am pure.’
[5] Job, I wish God would answer you and tell you that you are wrong.
[6] God could tell you the secret of wisdom. He would tell you that every story has two sides. Job, listen to me, God is not punishing you as much as he should.
[7] “Job, do you think that you really understand God? You can’t understand God All-Powerful.
[8] You can’t do anything about what is up in heaven! You don’t know anything about the place of death.
[9] God is greater than the earth and bigger than the seas.
[10] “If God arrests you, and brings you to court, no person can stop him.
[11] Truly, God knows who is worthless. When God sees evil, he remembers it.
[12] A wild donkey can’t give birth to a man. And a stupid person will never become wise.
[13] “But Job, you should make your heart ready to serve only God, and you should lift up your hands to ˻worship˼ him.
[14] You should put away the sin that is in your home. Don’t let evil live in your tent.
[15] Then you could look to God without shame. You could stand strong and not be afraid.
[16] Then you could forget your trouble. Your troubles would be like water that has passed on by.
[17] Then your life would be brighter than the sunshine at noon. Life’s darkest hours would shine like the morning sun.
[18] Then you would feel safe, because there would be hope. God would care for you and give you rest.
[19] You could lie down to rest, and no one would bother you. And many people would come to you for help.
[20] Bad people might look for help, but they won’t escape their troubles. Their hope leads only to death.”